bell the cat

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“These are the mice trying to bell the cat — only they can’t get one mouse to go out and do it,” he said.

From Washington Post • May 14, 2016

His opinion that certain firms are artificially increasing the prices is very much correct but who will bell the cat, that's the moot point.

From New York Times • Oct. 13, 2014

Baby Kochamma said, and to Chacko, “Ask him where he was yesterday. Let’s bell the cat once and for all.”

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy

At a preliminary consultation, Lord Gray remarked, "It is well said, but wha will bell the cat?"

From The Proverbs of Scotland by Hislop, Alexander

"The only question is," said the old mouse, "who is to bell the cat?"

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 152, March 14, 1917 by Various