bell the cat Definition

bell¹
noun

1. A deep hollow object, usually one made of metal, rounded at one end and wide and open at the other, which makes a ringing sound when struck by the small hammer or clapper fixed inside it.
2. Any other device which makes a ringing or buzzing sound, eg an electric doorbell.
3. The sound made by such an object or device.
(Brit)
4. colloq
A telephone call.
Example: Give me a bell soon
5. naut.
The ringing of a bell on board ship to tell the number of half-hours that have passed in a four-hour watch.
Example: See me at six bells
6. Anything shaped like a bell.

verb

belled, belling
1. To attach or fit a bell to something.

Idiom: bell the cat

To do something daring and dangerous.

Idiom: ring a bell

See under ring².

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon belle.