Saved by the bell

Definitions

to be rescued from a difficult or unpleasant situation
To express relief at narrowly avoiding a negative outcome or consequence
to be prevented from losing a competition or game
To indicate that a competitor was saved from losing by the ending of the competition or game

Examples of Saved by the bell

Jane was about to fail her calculus exam when suddenly the fire alarm went off, saving her from a poor grade.

The expression "saved by the bell" means being rescued or delivered from a difficult situation at the last moment. In this example, Jane was rescued from a bad grade on her calculus exam by the fire alarm, which signaled the end of the exam.
Mike had been working on a presentation for hours when his computer froze, causing him to panic. However, just as he was about to give up, the power went out, forcing him to leave the office. The next day, when he returned to the office, he found that his boss had changed the presentation topic, saving Mike from giving the wrong presentation.

In this example, "saved by the bell" refers to being spared from a negative outcome because of an unexpected event, like the power outage, which led to a change in plans.
The basketball game was tied with two seconds left on the clock when the opposing team's buzzer beater attempt was blocked by the home team's center, saving the game for the home team.

The expression "saved by the bell" is commonly used in sports, especially in basketball, to describe a dramatic play that wins the game at the last moment.
As Alex was walking home from his shift at a late-night diner, an unfamiliar car approached him, causing him to freeze in terror. However, at that moment, the driver of a police car drove by, causing the unfamiliar car to speed away.

In this final example, "saved by the bell" refers to being rescued from danger by a timely intervention, like the police car, which prevented Alex from being harmed by the unknown driver.
The team was losing badly in the final minutes of the game, but just as their opponent was scoring the winning goal, the referee sounded the whistle to end the game. The team had been saved by the bell.

This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone is rescued or saved at the last possible moment. In this example, the team was in a losing position and it seemed like they were going to lose, but the referee's whistle saved them from defeat.
Sarah had been working on a crucial project all night, but she heard the sound of the school bell ringing, signaling that it was time for her first class of the day. She quickly saved her work and rushed off.

This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe a situation where someone has a close call, but is saved by an external event or circumstance. In this example, Sarah was saved by the school bell, which forced her to leave her work and go to class, preventing her from missing her first lecture of the day.
Tom was struggling to meet his deadlines, and his boss was breathing down his neck. Just as Tom was feeling overwhelmed, his phone rang. It was a potential new client, and Tom was able to close the deal, saving himself from the brink of failure.

This example illustrates how the idiom can be used to describe a situation where someone is saved from a difficult or precarious situation. In this case, Tom's new client saved him from the pressure of meeting his deadlines and avoiding disappointment from his boss.
The detective was closing in on the criminal, but just as he was about to make the arrest, the criminal's alibi came to light. The detective was saved by the bell, as he realized that the evidence he had gathered was insufficient to secure a conviction.

This idiom can be used to describe a situation where someone is saved from a potentially damaging or dangerous situation. In this example, the detective was saved by the bell when he realized that his evidence was not strong enough to make an arrest, preventing him from taking the wrong course of action and potentially compromising the case.

Conclusion

The idiom "saved by the bell" is often used in situations where someone narrowly avoids a negative outcome or is prevented from losing a competition. It is commonly used in casual conversation to express relief at avoiding a difficult or unpleasant situation. The phrase can also be used in a more literal sense when someone is saved from losing a competition or game by the ending of the event. In either case, the idiom conveys a sense of being rescued from a potentially negative outcome.

Origin of "Saved by the bell"

The origin of the idiom "saved by the bell" is believed to come from the world of boxing. In the 19th century, when boxing matches were fought without time limits, it was common for fighters to be saved from losing by the ringing of a bell. This would signal the end of a round, allowing the boxer to regroup and continue the fight. Over time, the phrase "saved by the bell" came to be used in a figurative sense to describe being rescued from a difficult or unpleasant situation. Today, the idiom is used in a variety of contexts to express relief at narrowly avoiding a negative outcome. For example, someone who completes a task just before a deadline could be said to be "saved by the bell." This shows how the idiom has evolved from its origins in boxing to become a widely used expression in everyday language.