बिल्ली के गले में घंटी बाँधना
billi ke gale mein ghanti bandhna
To tie bell to cat's neck
Signification
To undertake a dangerous or difficult task, especially one no one else dares.
Contexte culturel
In many Indian companies, hierarchy is strictly followed. Using this idiom often highlights the courage required to challenge a superior. Political analysts frequently use this idiom to describe opposition leaders who dare to challenge powerful incumbents. Historically, reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy are seen as those who 'belled the cat' against social evils like Sati. In village panchayats, this idiom is used when a villager stands up against a powerful local landlord.
Use for Leadership
This is a great idiom to use when praising someone's leadership in a difficult situation.
Don't Overuse
It's a powerful idiom; using it for small things makes it lose its impact.
Signification
To undertake a dangerous or difficult task, especially one no one else dares.
Use for Leadership
This is a great idiom to use when praising someone's leadership in a difficult situation.
Don't Overuse
It's a powerful idiom; using it for small things makes it lose its impact.
Past Tense Agreement
Always remember: 'Usne ghanti baandhi' (feminine agreement) because 'ghanti' is feminine.
Rhetorical Use
The most common way to use this is as a question: 'But who will bell the cat?'
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
सब जानते थे कि बॉस गलत है, पर ___ कौन?
The sentence is a rhetorical question about the future action, so 'baandhega' is correct.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'बिल्ली के गले में घंटी बाँधना'?
Choose the correct scenario:
This involves a high personal risk for a collective benefit, which is the core meaning of the idiom.
Complete the dialogue using the idiom.
A: 'हमें इस अन्याय के खिलाफ लड़ना होगा।' B: 'हाँ, पर ___?'
The rhetorical question is the most natural response in this context.
Match the idiom to its meaning.
Match 'बिल्ली के गले में घंटी बाँधना' with its correct definition:
This is the standard figurative meaning of the idiom.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Idiom vs. Literal Action
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesसब जानते थे कि बॉस गलत है, पर ___ कौन?
The sentence is a rhetorical question about the future action, so 'baandhega' is correct.
Choose the correct scenario:
This involves a high personal risk for a collective benefit, which is the core meaning of the idiom.
A: 'हमें इस अन्याय के खिलाफ लड़ना होगा।' B: 'हाँ, पर ___?'
The rhetorical question is the most natural response in this context.
Match 'बिल्ली के गले में घंटी बाँधना' with its correct definition:
This is the standard figurative meaning of the idiom.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is neutral and can be used in both formal (essays, news) and informal (conversations) contexts.
Yes, but it usually implies a social or moral risk as well.
There isn't a direct opposite, but 'मैदान छोड़कर भागना' (to run away from the field) is a contrast.
This is a fixed grammatical structure in Hindi idioms; 'ke gale mein' is the standard form.
Yes, it is very common in journalism and corporate discussions.
Yes, if you are referring to the story, but figuratively we usually use 'usne' or a person's name.
Usually, yes, as it implies courage. However, it can be used to describe a reckless action too.
Yes, to describe a time you took initiative in a difficult situation. It sounds very professional.
Yes, 'ghanti' is always a feminine noun in Hindi.
You can say 'उन्होंने बिल्ली के गले में घंटी बाँधी' (They belled the cat).
Expressions liées
आग में कूदना (Aag mein koodna)
similarTo jump into fire (take a big risk).
लोहे के चने चबाना (Lohe ke chane chabana)
similarTo chew iron chickpeas (do a very hard task).
खतरे से खेलना (Khatre se khelna)
similarTo play with danger.
बीड़ा उठाना (Beeda uthana)
similarTo take up a challenge.
