A sheep caught by a shearer just before the bell rings to signal the end of a period of work, which they are allowed to shear.
they worked as only shearers work when they're cutting for a bell sheep
Example sentencesExamples
- For an hour they worked as only shearers work when they're cutting for a bell sheep.
- He times himself to get so many sheep out of the pen before the bell goes, and one more—the 'bell sheep'—as it is ringing.
- Shearers often allowed the rouseabout to shear the bell sheep.
- It can become one's bell sheep, caught just before the bell goes and able to be shorn at leisure into the break.