belle at the ball

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   A woman who is the most beautiful and admired person at a dance or social event; the center of attention.

   Grammar: Used as a noun phrase; often with 'the': 'She was the belle at the ball.'

   Patterns

   • the belle at the ball
   • be the belle at the ball

   With her stunning dress, she was the belle at the ball.

   Everyone wanted to dance with the belle at the ball.

   She felt like the belle at the ball in her new gown.

2. 2phrasefixed phrasefigurative

   Figuratively, a person who is the most popular or admired at a particular event or gathering.

   Grammar: Often used with 'like': 'He felt like the belle at the ball.'

   Patterns

   • like the belle at the ball
   • the belle at the ball of the party

   At the conference, she was the belle at the ball, with everyone wanting to talk to her.

   He walked into the room like the belle at the ball, confident and admired.

   The new product was the belle at the ball at the tech expo.

Common combinations

the belle at the ball

She was the belle at the ball in her elegant red dress.

feel like the belle at the ball

After winning the award, he felt like the belle at the ball.

be the belle at the ball

At the charity gala, she was the belle at the ball.

Synonyms and how they differ

star of the show

Star of the show is more general and can refer to any performance; belle at the ball specifically refers to a social event and often implies beauty.

center of attention

Center of attention is neutral and can be used for anyone; belle at the ball has a romantic or glamorous tone.

Opposites

Commonly confused: belle at the ball or bell?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “belle at the ball”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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