saved by the bell

Idioms

Rescued from a difficulty at the last moment, as in I couldn't put off explaining his absence any longer, but then Bill arrived and I was saved by the bell. This expression alludes to the bell rung at the end of a boxing round, which, if it rings before a knocked-down boxer has been counted out, lets him get up and continue fighting in the next round. Its figurative use dates from the mid-1900s.

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.

Upon hearing the 10-second clapper in the final round, Chisora threw everything at Wallin and put down his rival, who was saved by the bell.

From BBC • Feb. 8, 2025

When the Rams examine themselves during this bye week, they’ll see a team that currently resembles a stunned boxer who just got saved by the bell from imminent danger of a knockout.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 18, 2021

Nurmagomedov took Gaethje down at the end of the first round but he was saved by the bell.

From Fox News • Oct. 24, 2020

Anytime one questioner starts making headway on an issue, the person in the hot seat is saved by the bell.

From Slate • Aug. 1, 2020

"I was saved by the bell, wasn't I?"

From Stand by for Mars! by Glanzman, Louis

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023