saved by the bell: meaning & examples

Open in app

Language: English

Meanings:

  • 1.

    WorldwideUSUKinformalidiomatic
    • Rescued from an awkward, embarrassing, or dangerous situation at the last moment by an interruption or external event (originally a bell signalling the end of a round or class).

    Examples

    Beta

    • I was about to get called out in class, but the bell rang just in time—I was saved by the bell.

      I was about to get called out in class, but the bell rang just in time—I was saved by the bell.

    • When the argument got heated, a sudden phone call saved me by the bell from having to respond.

      When the argument got heated, a sudden phone call saved me by the bell from having to respond.

    • She was saved by the bell when the meeting ended abruptly before her embarrassing mistake was noticed.

      She was saved by the bell when the meeting ended abruptly before her embarrassing mistake was noticed.

  • 2.

    WorldwideUSUKinformalidiomatic
    • Narrowly avoided failure, punishment, or responsibility because of timely intervention or a fortunate turn of events.

    Examples

    Beta

    • Thanks to the unexpected cancellation, he was saved by the bell and avoided having to give his speech.

      Thanks to the unexpected cancellation, he was saved by the bell and avoided having to give his speech.

    • She was saved by the bell when a last-minute email delayed the deadline, sparing her from penalties.

      She was saved by the bell when a last-minute email delayed the deadline, sparing her from penalties.

    • If the judge hadn’t arrived early, the defendant wouldn’t have been saved by the bell and might have faced immediate arrest.

      If the judge hadn’t arrived early, the defendant wouldn’t have been saved by the bell and might have faced immediate arrest.

Examples:

  • EN: Lenci, this time you've been saved by the bell!
    ES: Lenci, esta vez le ha salvado el fin de la lección.
  • EN: We're saved by the bell, Eileen.
    ES: Salvadas por la campana, Eileen.
  • EN: We were saved by the bell.
    ES: Nos salvó la campana.
  • EN: He can't walk, but Reeves has been saved by the bell.
    ES: No puede caminar, a Reeves lo salvó la campana.
  • EN: * 'Cause I'm saved by the bell * * lf the teacher pops a test I know I'm in a mess *
    ES: *Porque me salvó la campana* * Si el profesor saca un examen Sé que estoy en un lío *
  • EN: * 'Cause I'm saved by the bell... *
    ES: *Porque me salvó la campana...*
  • EN: * lt's all right, 'cause I'm saved by the-- * * lt's all right, 'cause I'm saved by the-- * * lt's all right, 'cause I'm saved by the bell. *
    ES: * Está bien, porque me salvó el-- * * Está bien, porque estoy salvado por el-- * 00:00:57,971 -- 00:01:02,374 * Está bien, porque me salvó la campana. *
  • EN: * It's all right, 'cause I'm saved by the bell. *
    ES: SALVADO POR LA CAMPANA
    ES: 00:01:11,151 -- 00:01:13,813 Slater, somos un gran equipo.
  • EN: ♪ 'Cause I'm saved by the bell ♪
    ES: ¡Guau! Mira estos carteles.
  • EN: ♪ It's all right ♪ ♪ 'Cause I'm saved by the bell... ♪
    ES: si se hubiera quedado con esos débiles.
  • EN: Hey, we're saved by the bell.
    ES: Oye, nos salva la campana.
  • EN: Ooh, saved by the bell.
    ES: - Salvados por la campana.
  • EN: So I guess I've been saved by the bell, huh?
    ES: Supongo que me salvó la campana.
  • EN: Boy, were you saved by the bell!
    ES: ¡Los salvó la campana!
  • EN: Talk about saved by the bell.
    ES: Nos salvó la campana.
  • EN: Lenci, this time you've been saved by the bell!
    ES: Lenci, esta vez le ha salvado el fin de la lección.
  • EN: We're saved by the bell, Eileen.
    ES: Salvadas por la campana, Eileen.

Related Idioms

Validation Count: 0

Sourced from Wiktionary

Source: Wiktionary

saved by the bell | Idiomator