What does bell the cat mean?
Definitions for bell the cat
bell the cat
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word bell the cat.
Princeton's WordNet
bell the catverb
take a risk; perform a daring act
"Who is going to bell the cat?"
Wiktionary
bell the catverb
To undertake a dangerous action in the service of a group.
Etymology: From a mediaeval fable in which mice want to put a bell round the cat's neck but cannot agree who should do it.
Wikipedia
bell the cat
Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Angus (c. 1449 – October 1513), was a Scottish nobleman, peer, politician, and magnate. Tradition has accorded him the nickname Archibald 'Bell-the-Cat' due to his association with the 1482 rebellion against James III of Scotland. He became one of the most powerful nobleman in Scotland through his influential position on the Scottish Marches, and a willingness to be involved in multiple rebellions in the reigns of James III and James IV of Scotland.
ChatGPT
bell the cat
"Bell the cat" is an idiomatic phrase with roots from a fable. The phrase generally means to undertake a dangerous or risky task for the collective benefit of a group. It refers to a person who is willing to take on a highlight challenge or task that involves a significant risk. It is named after a fictitious story about a community of mice who decide to put a bell on a cat to get a warning whenever the cat is approaching, but none of the mice are willing to actually attach the bell.
Matched Categories
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of bell the cat in Chaldean Numerology is: 8
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of bell the cat in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7
Examples of bell the cat in a Sentence
William Langland, The Vision of Piers Plowman:
Who will bell the cat?
Who will bell the cat
Translations for bell the cat
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- der Katze die Schelle umhängen, der Katze die Schelle anhängenGerman
- κουδούνι τη γάταGreek
- ponerle el cascabel al gatoSpanish
- پيش مرگ شدن، در انجام كار مشكلي پيش قدم شدنPersian
- kaulaFinnish
- attacher le grelotFrench
- campana il gattoItalian
- פעמון החתולHebrew
- henge bjella på kattenNorwegian
- henge bjølla på katten, hengje bjølla på kattenNorwegian Nynorsk
- narazić sięPolish
- колокол кошкаRussian
- chuông con mèoVietnamese
Get even more translations for bell the cat »
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"bell the cat." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 24 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/bell+the+cat>.
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