Bell the cat
verb
verb ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
Verb
- 1 To undertake a dangerous action in the service of a group. idiomatic
- 2 take a risk; perform a daring act wordnet
Etymology
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.