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.
Without their bell cow, Minnesota saw three running backs and quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis get between 10 and 15 carries apiece.
From Washington Times ● Sep. 30, 2023
Miles Sanders over 13.5 rushing attempts: Sanders was the bell cow for the Eagles all season, averaging 15.2 rush attempts per game, and he had 205 more than any other running back.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 9, 2023
He showed he could be the bell cow of the explosive Buckeyes offense, whether he gets the chance again or not.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 1, 2022
He looks tentative and plodding, nothing like a bell cow back.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 24, 2022
De moon come out, bright and clear, but I couldn't see dem cows nowhar—didn't even hear de bell cow.
From Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves Georgia Narratives, Part 2 by Work Projects Administration
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.
