To be "saved by the bell" is to be unexpectedly saved at the last moment.

Boxing brings us another well known phrase. A boxer who was in danger of losing a match could be saved from being counted out by the bell that marks the end of a round.

There is a myth that this phrase harkens back to the 18th century when there was a fear of being buried alive and thus a safety bell was included in the coffin. Indeed there were several devices patented in both England and the USA known as safety coffins that were all designed to prevent someone being unknowingly being buried alive with no recourse. This myth has no evidence to support either that the devices were ever useful or that this phrase was used in this context.

Use Example - Mary was afraid she was going to yelled at for being late but was saved by the bell when her boss had to answer the telephone.

Source Tags : Sports     Concept Tags : Time