bell the cat
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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