English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Bell the cat
Meaning
"Bell the cat" is an idiomatic expression that means to reveal a secret or a surprise, often for someone else's benefit. It can also mean to outsmart someone or to take action against them.
Usage
- The whistleblower decided to bell the cat and expose the company's illegal practices to the authorities.
- I have always been suspicious of her, so I decided to bell the cat and confront her about it.
- He was trying to hide his mistake, but I managed to bell the cat and expose him.
- The whistleblower wanted to protect the company's reputation, so she decided not to bell the cat and reveal their illegal practices.
- My friend had always been a bit of a mystery, but when I started asking questions, she finally belled the cat and revealed her true self.
Roots and History
The exact origin of this idiom is uncertain, but it has been in use since at least the 17th century. One theory suggests that it comes from the practice of bellringing to alert someone to a secret or surprise. Another theory suggests that it comes from the act of belling a cat to make it reveal its location. Over time, the meaning and usage of the idiom have evolved, but its basic meaning remains the same: revealing a secret or taking action against someone.
Synonyms in English
- Expose a secret
- Outsmart someone
- Confront someone
- Betray someone
- Reveal something to the authorities
Synonyms in other languages
- 揭露秘密 (Jiǎn lù xìngmì) - Chinese
- אומר ספר קיצות (Amar s'fir kitzu't) - Hebrew
- הכּשׁעת החולט בעוקנה שדום (Ha'ksh'a'e at ha'chol't ba'avok'nha sh'dom) - Hebrew
- מתן בגירסון הניסטגמות (M'tan b'girsu'n hane'stegmimot) - Hebrew
- קידוש חזות (K'yidush chazu't) - Hebrew