Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
saved-by-the-bell
idiom
/ˈseɪvd baɪ ðə bɛl/
Definition
A phrase that refers to being saved from a difficult situation at the last possible moment, often used in contexts like sports or exams.
Examples
- Just when he thought he would fail the test, the teacher announced there would be a postponement, and he felt saved by the bell.
- In the last minute of the game, their star player scored, and they were saved by the bell.
Meaning
The term originated from boxing, where a fighter is saved from being counted out by the sound of the bell signaling the end of a round. It has since evolved to describe any situation where someone escapes a predicament just in time.
Synonyms
- rescued at the last moment
- saved at the last minute
- just in time
