Saved by the bell

Meaning

The idiom "saved by the bell" means that a person is rescued or liberated from a difficult situation just before it becomes too hopeless or disastrous. This phrase often implies a sudden change of fortune, and can be used to describe a variety of circumstances.

Usage

• After years of struggling with her addiction, she was finally saved by the bell when she received a scholarship to attend rehab.
• The company was on the brink of bankruptcy, but a sudden influx of new customers saved them just in time.
• The storm hit the coast hard, but the evacuation orders came at the last minute, saving thousands of lives.
• I was about to give up when my friend offered me a job opportunity that would have been my dream come true.
• The government's announcement of stimulus packages has given hope to small business owners who were saved by the bell just in time. The usage of this idiom can vary depending on the context. It can be used in both positive and negative situations, depending on the circumstances that led to the rescue or liberation.

Roots and History

The origin of this idiom is uncertain, but it has been in use since at least the early 20th century. One theory suggests that it comes from the practice of ringing a bell to signal the end of a round in boxing matches. If a boxer was knocked down or stopped fighting during the final round, they would be saved by the bell and have another chance to continue.

Synonyms in English

• Bailed out
• Pulled out of the fire
• Saved by the skin of one's teeth
• Pulled from the jaws of defeat
• Escaped disaster

Synonyms in other languages

• Salvado por la campana (Spanish) - saved by the bell
• Rettet mich von der Katze (German) - save me from the cat
• рятуваемый часовой (Russian) - lifesaver
• Sпасение (Arabic) - salvation
• 紧急救助（中文） - emergency rescue

Similar Idioms

• sacred cow

• straighten up and fly right

• salad days