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(ordered by seriousness) ESL Vocabulary Lists Parts of Speech Lists A-Z Idioms and Proverbs Tests and Games Top Tip Install a grammar checker
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(ordered by seriousness) ESL Vocabulary Lists Parts of Speech Lists A-Z Idioms and Proverbs Tests and Games Top Tip Install a grammar checker
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Saved by the Bell (Origin)
What Is the Origin of the Saying "Saved by the Bell"?
The term "saved by the bell" means saved at the last possible moment.Table of Contents
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Examples of Use:
- The bus arrived before Jack could answer Jill's question. He was definitely saved by the bell.
- The police officer's radio summoned him to an urgent job just before he searched my bag. I was saved by the bell!
- The goal was disallowed because the referee had blow the whistle. Saved by the bell! Well, literally the whistle, but you know what I mean.
In 1893, "The Fitchburg Daily Sentinel" from Massachusetts used the phrase in its literal meaning:
- "Martin Flaherty defeated Bobby Burns in 32 rounds by a complete knockout. Half a dozen times Flaherty was saved by the bell in the earlier rounds."
Example of use:
- I was trying to explain my presence to the doorman when his radio called him to another, more-pressing incident. Saved by the bell!
Competing Theory
"Saved by the bell" originates from the 18th century when people were so fearful of being buried alive they would be buried with a string attached to a bell on the surface. If, after being buried, the "deceased" came around, they could ring the bell to alert people. The fear of being buried alive was rife in those times, to the extent that many (including President George Washington) believed that Jesus was initially buried alive (as opposed to being resurrected):- "I am just going. Have me decently buried and do not let my body be put into the vault in less than two days after I am dead...Do you understand me?" (President George Washington, 1797)
- "All I desire for my own burial is not to be buried alive." (Lord Chesterfield, 1769)
- "Swear to make them cut me open, so that I won't be buried alive." (last words of Composer Frederic Chopin, 1849)
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