bell the cat

English

Etymology

From a medieval fable in which mice want to put a bell round the cat's neck but cannot agree who should do it.

Pronunciation

  • (file)

Verb

bell the cat (third-person singular simple present bells the cat, present participle belling the cat, simple past and past participle belled the cat)

  1. (idiomatic) To undertake a dangerous action in the service of a group.

Translations

See also

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