bell the cat
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English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From 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[edit]
Audio (AU): (file)
Verb[edit]
bell the cat (third-person singular simple present bells the cat, present participle belling the cat, simple past and past participle belled the cat)
Translations[edit]
to undertake a dangerous action in the service of a group
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