belling the cat
Dangerous task acceptance
Belling the cat means undertaking a dangerous task that would benefit everyone but that no one is willing to attempt.
The phrase comes from an Aesop fable in which mice propose hanging a bell on the cat to warn of its approach—an excellent plan until someone must actually do it.
Everyone agreed the policy needed changing, but no one wanted to bell the cat by confronting the director.
- miceSmall gnawing mammals
- fableMoral tale with animals
- audacityBrazen, reckless daring
- noble sacrificeSurrendering for others' sake
- idiomFixed phrase, opaque meaning
moral · proverb · allegory · cautionary tale · metaphor · initiative · good idea · easier said than done · talk is cheap · empty promise · bold · danger · council · anthropomorphism · volunteer spirit · cat · accountability · execution
- fablesfable, Aesop, Aesop's fables, Aesop fables, tortoise and hare
belling the catplaying it safe
Avoiding unnecessary risk
keeping one's head down · chickening out · cowardice · passing the buck · hedging one's bets
belling the catall talk and no action
Says much, does nothing
talking a good game · paying lip service · idle talk · hot air · pontificating
belling the catpassing the buck
Transferring responsibility to others