lɛt ðə kæt aʊt əv ðə bæɡ
Animals
informal
beginner
- Literally:
- To release a cat from a bag
What does "let the cat out of the bag" mean?
- To reveal a secret accidentally
- To disclose information that was meant to be hidden
Examples
- Who let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party?
- I accidentally let the cat out of the bag about her promotion.
- The secret was out—someone had let the cat out of the bag.
Origin
Possibly from medieval markets where dishonest merchants would substitute cats for pigs in bags. Opening the bag revealed the deception.
How to use it
Usually implies accidental disclosure rather than intentional revealing.
Similar expressions
spill the beans
reveal a secret
give away
Opposites
keep a secret
keep mum
stay silent
Related idioms
- kill two birds with one stone
To accomplish two goals with a single action
- elephant in the room
An obvious problem or issue that everyone is aware of but no one wants to discuss
- don't count your chickens before they hatch
Don't assume success before it actually happens
- hold your horses
To wait and be patient
- fish out of water
Someone who feels awkward or uncomfortable in a particular situation
- the early bird gets the worm
Those who act first have the advantage
Use it in a practice answer
Try "let the cat out of the bag" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.