save by the bell

Verb

 * 1)  In a boxing or wrestling match or similar competition, to ring the bell which concludes the round and thereby to prevent a competitor who has been knocked down from being counted out by the referee.
 * 2)  To rescue or favorably assist (someone) by means of a timely interruption or the sudden termination of difficult circumstances.
 * 3) * 1951 April, Charles Bell, "Sea Rescue," Motor Boating, p. 36 (Google preview):
 * The waitress brought the coffee about this time, saving me by the bell, as it were.
 * 1) * 2011 Oct. 13, nekobun, "Nekobun's Cblog: There Would've Been Brawl: Let's Keep It Clean," destructoid.com (retrieved 22 Jan 2014) :
 * Today's entry got to me just in the nick of time. Saving me by the bell is Reilly Campbell.
 * 1) * 2011 Oct. 13, nekobun, "Nekobun's Cblog: There Would've Been Brawl: Let's Keep It Clean," destructoid.com (retrieved 22 Jan 2014) :
 * Today's entry got to me just in the nick of time. Saving me by the bell is Reilly Campbell.
 * 1) * 2011 Oct. 13, nekobun, "Nekobun's Cblog: There Would've Been Brawl: Let's Keep It Clean," destructoid.com (retrieved 22 Jan 2014) :
 * Today's entry got to me just in the nick of time. Saving me by the bell is Reilly Campbell.

Usage notes

 * Almost always used in the past participial form: saved by the bell.