How do you use "Saved by the bell" in a sentence?

I was about to answer that question but was saved by the bell. Saved by the bell when the phone rang. Just barely saved by the bell.

Saved by the bell

Q: What does "Saved by the bell" mean?

Rescued at the last moment by a timely interruption. From boxing—when a boxer is about to lose but the round ends (signaled by a bell). Used for any last-minute rescue.

Slang Term AmericanBritishAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

Meaning: Rescued at the last moment by a timely interruption.

在最后时刻从困境中被解救。

Rescatado de una situación difícil en el último momento.

最後の瞬間に困難な状況から救われること。

마지막 순간에 어려운 상황에서 구해지는 것.

From boxing—when a boxer is about to lose but the round ends (signaled by a bell). Used for any last-minute rescue.

及时脱困。源自拳击——回合结束的铃声救了快要输的拳击手。

Salir de un apuro justo a tiempo. Del boxeo: la campana que termina el asalto salva al boxeador que está perdiendo.

ぎりぎりのところで窮地を脱すること。ボクシングから来ており、ラウンド終了のゴングが負けそうなボクサーを救う。

아슬아슬하게 위기를 모면하는 것. 복싱에서 유래—라운드 종료 벨이 밀리고 있는 선수를 구해준다.

Literal meaning: Saved by the boxing bell

Examples

I was about to answer that question but was saved by the bell.
会议取消了——真是逃过一劫！
Se canceló la reunión: ¡salvado por la campana!
会議が中止になった。助かった！
회의가 취소됐다—천만다행이야!
Saved by the bell when the phone rang.
电话响了，我得救了
Me salvó la campana cuando sonó el teléfono
電話が鳴って助かった
전화가 울려서 살았다.
Just barely saved by the bell.
客户延期了，我们逃过一劫
Nos salvó la campana cuando el cliente lo pospuso
クライアントが延期してくれて助かった
고객이 연기해줘서 겨우 살았다.

Pronunciation

/seɪvd baɪ ðə bel/

Usage Guide

Context: rescue, timing, luck

Tone: relieved, humorous

✓ Do Say

Saved by the bell.
逃过一劫！
¡Salvado por la campana!
ゴングに救われた！
구사일생!
Just saved by the bell.
我逃过一劫
Me salvó la campana
助かった
간신히 살았어.
Really saved by the bell there.
刚好逃过一劫
Justo salvado por la campana
ぎりぎりで助かった
아슬아슬하게 살았어.

✗ Don't Say

Lucky interruption
Got out of it（逃脱了）
Got out of it（Me libré）
Got out of it（逃れた）
Got out of it (빠져나왔다)
Rescued at the last moment
Escaped just in time（及时逃脱）
Escaped just in time（Escapé justo a tiempo）
Escaped just in time（ぎりぎりで逃げた）
Escaped just in time (가까스로 벗어났다)

Common Mistakes

Boxing origin
Also famous as a TV show title

Origin & History

From boxing—the bell ending a round saves a struggling boxer.

Etymology: Boxing slang, late 19th century

First recorded: Late 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: Late 19th century to present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Boxing; Saved by the Bell (TV show); Schools (class bell)

Regional notes: Universal English boxing metaphor.

Variations

Saved by the bellJust saved by the bell