let the cat out of the bag — to reveal a secret, especially by accident or carelessly
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to reveal a secret, especially by accident or carelessly
Pronunciation (IPA): /lɛt ðə kæt aʊt əv ðə bæg/
Example Sentences
- She accidentally let the cat out of the bag and told everyone about the engagement before the official announcement.
- My little brother let the cat out of the bag about my birthday surprise—now the cat literally ran out too, chasing his own tail!
- The manager let the cat out of the bag during the meeting, revealing the company's merger plans early.
let the cat out of the bag
VERB[/lɛt ðə kæt aʊt əv ðə bæg/]
to reveal a secret, especially by accident or carelessly
She let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party at dinner.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From medieval market fraud, where dishonest sellers substituted a cat for a piglet in a bag; if the cat escaped, the trick was exposed.
Breakdown
let (release) + the cat (hidden truth) + out of (from inside) + the bag (concealment) = to expose a hidden secret
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“She accidentally let the cat out of the bag and told everyone about the engagement before the official announcement.”
“My little brother let the cat out of the bag about my birthday surprise—now the cat literally ran out too, chasing his own tail!”
“The manager let the cat out of the bag during the meeting, revealing the company's merger plans early.”
“If you let the cat out of the bag one more time, we'll start calling you 'the human leak detector'!”
📚Related Words
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