bell cow
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of bell cow
An Americanism dating back to 1855–60
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Gibson, last year’s bell cow, is still big for a running back at 6 feet, but he doesn’t run with the same sort of bulldozer style that Robinson is known for.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 24, 2022
Though Davis’ 10 rushing touchdowns leads the Pac-12, UW noticeably lacks a bell cow back.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 23, 2022
He looks tentative and plodding, nothing like a bell cow back.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 24, 2022
Smith has been Baylor’s bell cow, and he is a reflection of Aranda’s ability to take a roster that isn’t loaded with four- and five-star players and get the pieces in the right places.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2021
He heard the sound of his bell cow a long way off.
From Tell Me Another Story The Book of Story Programs by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
