Saved by the bell

Idiomatic Phrase
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Rescued from difficulty or embarrassment at the last possible moment; boxing reference to bell ending round before knockout, symbolizing timely intervention preventing disastrous outcome.

Detailed Definition
Saved by the bell means rescued from difficulty, danger, defeat, or embarrassment at the last possible moment. The idiom is often linked to boxing, where the bell ends a round before a fighter is overwhelmed. In poetry, it can bring sudden relief into scenes of school, sport, argument, danger, or moral pressure. A poet may use it comically or dramatically, showing fate interrupting disaster. The phrase is useful for exploring timing, reprieve, and the fragile difference between failure and escape.
Example
Example in poetry:
Rescue: "The final whistle saved them, rescued by the bell from defeat."; Timely: "Saved by the bell when opportunity arrived at the last moment."; Educational: "Delivers relief in dramatic poetry."; "She was saved by the bell."
Additional Notes
Last-moment rescue, delivers relief and hope in dramatic climax poetry. Tip: Create catharsis. Suggests narrow escape. Use in suspense. Contrasts with disaster. Enhances relief.
Also Known As
Last-minute rescue Narrow escape Just in time Lucky reprieve
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