bell the cat
English
editEtymology
editFrom a medieval fable in which mice agree that a bell should be put round a cat's neck so they will always be warned of its arrival, but cannot agree who should undertake the dangerous task.
Pronunciation
editAudio (General Australian): (file)
Verb
editbell the cat (third-person singular simple present bells the cat, present participle belling the cat, simple past and past participle belled the cat)
Translations
editto undertake a dangerous action in the service of a group
|