Explaining "Who will bell the cat?"

Reviewed and edited by

Anwar Kareem 24/05/2025, 14:26

English.me team member

What does it mean?

The phrase "Who will bell the cat?" refers to proposing a daring or difficult action, and then questioning who will actually undertake the risky task. It highlights the difference between suggesting a solution and being willing to personally carry it out.

Tone

Cautious and slightly skeptical; it often highlights hesitation or reluctance.

Origin

The phrase comes from an old fable, often attributed to Aesop, where a group of mice decide that it would be helpful to hang a bell around a cat's neck to be warned of its approach. However, none of the mice are willing to do the dangerous job.

Examples of usage

They all agreed the project needed a leader, but when it came to taking responsibility, no one wanted to bell the cat.
It's easy to suggest confronting the boss about the unfair policy, but who will bell the cat?
"Who will bell the cat?" asked James when the group discussed addressing the issue with management.