Meaning: To take a risky or difficult task for the benefit of others
Hindi: जोखिम भरा काम स्वयं करना
Synonyms: take the risk, volunteer for danger
Asked in: SSC Selection Post Ph-14 2026 (Matriculation Level) · SSC MTS 2024 · SSC CGL 2023 T-1 · SSC CPO 2018 T-2
bell the cat in SSC previous-year questions
- SSC MTS 2024 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence.
Everyone disliked the new CEO, Kushal, but nobody is ready to put themselves in dangerous situation by telling him their feelings.Answer & explanation
Answer: B) bell the cat
Answer: bell the cat
Explanation:
The phrase "put themselves in dangerous situation by telling him their feelings" means taking a risky action.
• The idiom "bell the cat" means to take on a dangerous or difficult task.
(Hindi: जोखिम उठाना) – ✅ Correct substitution
Other options:
• Rule the roost – to be in charge (Hindi: नेतृत्व करना) – ❌ Incorrect
• Sit on the fence – to remain neutral (Hindi: तटस्थ रहना) – ❌ Opposite meaning
• Pull a long face – to look sad or disappointed (Hindi: उदास दिखना) – ❌ Not relevant
So, the best substitute is "bell the cat." - SSC Selection Post Ph-14 2026 (Matriculation Level) Idioms & Phrases
What does the idiom/phrase 'bell the cat' mean?
Answer & explanation
Answer: A) To undertake a risky task
Meaning: bell the cat = to take on a dangerous task for the good of others *(जोखिम भरा काम अपने सिर लेना)*.
*Everyone complained about the manager, but no one would bell the cat.*
Origin.
A medieval fable: the mice agree that a bell tied round the cat's neck would warn them.
An old mouse asks, "But who will bell the cat?" — no one volunteers.
Why the others are wrong.
#B To reveal a harmless secret *(कोई मामूली राज़ खोलना)* — that is *let the cat out of the bag* (usually any secret).
#B To flatter someone for gain *(स्वार्थ के लिए चापलूसी करना)* — that is *butter someone up* / *curry favour*.
#B To punish a guilty person *(दोषी को सज़ा देना)* — that is *bring someone to book*.
Answer: To - SSC CPO 2018 T-2 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom in the given sentence.
There was no one in the team who could b̲e̲l̲l̲ ̲t̲h̲e̲ ̲c̲a̲t̲ and tell the producer the truth.Answer & explanation
Answer: C) do the impossible task
✅ Correct Answer: Option C (do the impossible task)
Type: Idiom
"bell the cat" = to take on a dangerous or impossible task for the good of others (कठिन/जोखिम भरा काम करना).
Why the others are wrong
• warn the owners / tame animals / ring bells – too literal; miss the "risky, difficult task" sense. - SSC CGL 2023 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
To bell the catAnswer & explanation
Answer: A) To face risk
Answer: To face risk
Solution:
• The idiom "to bell the cat" means to take a risky or dangerous task, especially one that others are unwilling to do – जोखिम भरा काम करना जिसे करने का साहस कोई नहीं करता.
• It comes from a fable where mice suggest putting a bell around a cat’s neck to know when it approaches — a great idea, but no one dares to do it.
Other options:
• To play with kids – बच्चों के साथ खेलना (irrelevant)
• To love cats – बिल्लियों से प्यार करना (literal, not idiomatic)
• To feed pets – पालतू जानवरों को खाना खिलाना (not related)
So, the correct meaning is: To face risk.
Examples
- “No one was ready to bell the cat by reporting the corrupt officer.”
bell the cat – questions
What is the meaning of bell the cat in Hindi?
bell the cat means “जोखिम भरा काम स्वयं करना” in Hindi. In English: To take a risky or difficult task for the benefit of others
What are the synonyms of bell the cat?
Synonyms of bell the cat: take the risk, volunteer for danger.
Has bell the cat been asked in SSC exams?
Yes – bell the cat has been asked 4 times in SSC exams: SSC Selection Post Ph-14 2026 (Matriculation Level), SSC MTS 2024, SSC CGL 2023 T-1, SSC CPO 2018 T-2.