Example: Je moet de kat de bel aanbinden voor het feest begint.
Definition
"De kat de bel aanbinden" is a Dutch expression meaning to take the initiative to address a difficult or risky task that others have avoided, often by confronting the problem directly and bravely, such as 'You have to de kat de bel aanbinden before the party starts.'
The phrase "de kat de bel aanbinden" literally means 'to tie the bell on the cat.' It originates from a fable where mice wanted to tie a bell on a cat to warn them of its approach, but no one wanted to take on the dangerous task. This expression now humorously refers to daring to undertake a risky or challenging responsibility.
Learn to use this expression actively
"De kat de bel aanbinden" appears in the Vocaplus list "Dutch - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C2) - set 1", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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to tackle a difficult issue