“Tries to gain admittance” sounds familiar (5,1,4)
I believe the answer is:
rings a bell
'sounds familiar' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for rings a bell that I've seen before include "What the town crier does" , "Reminds one" , "stirs up memories" .)