Question

Choose the exact meaning of the idiom/phrase:
To bell the cat

a. To take the lead in danger
b. To tie a bell to the cat's neck
c. To be wary of the enemy
d. To make noise

Answer 1

Hint: An idiom is a phrase formed by a group of words that do not mean the way they are written and have a metaphorical meaning.

Complete answer:
The idiom originated from a fable where the mice decide to undertake the dangerous task of tying a bell around the neck of a cat. A mouse had to be chosen to carry out the plan though none of them was willing to come forward. Let us observe the use of this idiom in a sentence.
For example: Someone has to bell the cat and suggest a pay raise to the boss.

Let us now analyse the given options to find the correct meaning of the idiom.
> “To take the lead in danger” means to agree to perform a risky task. We observe that it is similar to the contextual meaning of the idiom. Hence, we can say that option ‘a’ is the correct answer.
> “To tie a bell to the cat's neck” is the literal meaning of the given idiom. We already know from the hint given to us, that an idiom has a figurative meaning and not a literal meaning. Hence, we can say that option ‘b’ is not the correct answer.
> “To be wary of the enemy” means to be careful or alert of the enemy’s ways. We observe that it is not similar to the contextual meaning of the idiom. Hence, we can say that option ‘c’ is not the correct answer.
> “To make noise” means to create loud, ununderstandable and usually disturbing sounds. We observe that it is not similar to the contextual meaning of the idiom. Hence, we can say that option ‘d’ is not the correct answer.

Thus, the correct answer is option ‘a’ - “to take the lead in danger”

Note: The meaning of the idioms and their respective context must be clearly understood, in order to be able to identify the correct answer.