Learn the meaning of the idiom "to let the cat out of the bag" with examples and usage in English.
Meaning of the Idiom:
"To let the cat out of the bag" means to accidentally or unintentionally reveal a secret or surprise that was supposed to be kept hidden.
Origin (Brief):
The idiom dates back to marketplaces in old Europe, where dishonest sellers would pretend to sell a pig in a bag but actually put a cat inside. Once the buyer opened the bag, the trick was revealed — hence, the "cat out of the bag" meant the secret (or lie) was exposed.
Examples in Sentences:
We were planning a surprise party for Sarah, but John let the cat out of the bag.
Don’t let the cat out of the bag about the job offer — it’s not official yet.
He accidentally let the cat out of the bag about the company’s new product launch.
Similar Idioms:
Spill the beans – Reveal a secret
Blow the cover – Expose something hidden
Let something slip – Say something by mistake
Summary:
To "let the cat out of the bag" means to reveal a secret, usually by accident. It's a common idiom used in both casual and formal English to describe unintentional disclosures.