BELL THE CAT • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Bell the cat

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/bɛl ðə kæt/ Listen

Bell the cat

verb

Take a risk; perform a daring act.

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Etymology of 'Bell the cat'

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"Bell the cat" Quotes from Famous Books

... robins and wrens and thrushes which are predestined prey, there is only one way to save them, the way which Archibald Douglas took to save the honour of Scotland,—"bell the cat." A good-sized sleigh-bell, if she be strong enough to bear it, a bunch of little bells, if she be small and slight,—and the pleasures of the chase are over. One little bell is of no avail, for she learns to move with such infinite precaution that ...

— Americans and Others • Agnes Repplier

... not yet made up its mind to bell the cat, and to let us know the terms of the armistice or capitulation, whichever it is to be called. We hear that it is expected that trains will run to England on Tuesday or Wednesday, and by the first train I for one shall endeavour to get out of ...

— Diary of the Besieged Resident in Paris • Henry Labouchere

... But you see I'm Chairman of this blessed show, and they all fixed on me to bell the cat. We want a hundred acres of the Park, a new agent, notices for three ...

— Elizabeth's Campaign • Mrs. Humphry Ward

... so tired of such enterprises, that nobody dared to speak to him upon this. All drew back. No one liked to bell the cat. At last, however, Madame de Maintenon being gained over, the King was induced to listen to the project. As soon as his consent was gained to it, another scheme was added to the first. This was to profit by ...

— The Memoirs of Louis XIV., His Court and The Regency, Complete • Duc de Saint-Simon

Words linked to "Bell the cat" : put on the line, lay on the line, risk