Introduction / Context:
“To bell the cat” is an idiom that originates from a fable in which mice propose tying a bell to a cat so they can hear it coming. The plan is clever in theory but dangerous in execution. When used about leaders, the idiom challenges someone to step forward and perform the risky task others only talk about.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- The sentence contrasts speaking with acting.
- The idiom implies a hazardous undertaking.
- We must capture the idea of taking initiative in danger.
Concept / Approach:
The idiom means “to volunteer for a perilous but necessary action,” i.e., to take the lead where real risk exists. That aligns exactly with “To take lead in danger.” Options about making noise or mere alertness misread the fable’s moral; literally tying a bell reflects the story but not the idiomatic meaning in modern use.
Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Note the rhetoric: not just speeches → action.2) Recall the fable: plan vs. executor.3) Map to leadership: stepping up for the risky job.4) Pick the option that encodes both initiative and danger.
Verification / Alternative check:
Restatement: “Leaders must be ready to carry out the dangerous part themselves.” This equals the chosen meaning.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Tie a bell to a cat: Literal, not idiomatic.Be alert / Make noise / Delay action: Miss the core of risk-taking leadership.
Common Pitfalls:
Confusing the story’s literal act with the idiom’s figurative lesson. The idiom praises courageous initiative, not planning alone.
Final Answer:
To take lead in danger.
Discussion & Comments