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Difficulty: Very hardIdioms and Idiomatic Expressions

When the executive committee realized that the proposed restructuring policy would lead to massive retrenchment, none of the senior union representatives was willing to bell the cat by confronting the managing director.

Which of the following options best captures the meaning of the underlined idiomatic expression?

  1. take on a dangerous or daunting task for the benefit of the groupAnswer
  2. B
    attach a physical warning device to alert others of impending danger
  3. C
    report corporate financial misconduct directly to regulatory authorities
  4. D
    evade personal responsibility by blaming external management decisions

Answer

The expression 'bell the cat' means to take on a dangerous or daunting task for the benefit of a group.
The idiomatic expression 'bell the cat' originates from an ancient fable where mice discuss putting a bell around a cat's neck to be alerted of its approach; while all agree it is a good idea, none is brave enough to perform the dangerous task. Thus, it means undertaking a hazardous or difficult task for the common good.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the idiomatic expression in the contextual sentence.
The phrase 'bell the cat' is used figuratively to describe the unwillingness of union leaders to confront the managing director.
Recognizing the idiom isolates it from literal reading.
2
Recall the established figurative meaning of the idiom originating from fable.
'Belling the cat' means agreeing to perform a perilous deed that benefits the entire community, though no individual wants to risk doing it.
Idioms carry culturally fixed figurative meanings that transcend individual word meanings.
3
Compare the recalled meaning with the options provided.
The statement expressing taking on a dangerous task for the benefit of the group exactly matches the idiom's definition.
This selects the option nearest in meaning to the target expression.

Key Concept

Interpretation of Idiomatic Expressions
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Topics

Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions

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