let the cat out of the bag
- let the cat out of the bag
let the cat out of the bag
Fig. to reveal a secret or a surprise by accident. •
When Bill glanced at the door, he let the cat out of the bag. We knew then that he was expecting someone to arrive.
•
It's a secret. Try not to let the cat out of the bag.
* * *
{v. phr.}, {informal} To tell about something that is supposed to be a secret. * /We wanted to surprise Mary with a birthday gift, but Allen let the cat out of the bag by asking her what she would like./ - Sometimes used in another form. * /Well, the cat is out of the bag - everybody knows about their marriage./ Compare: GIVE AWAY(3), LET OUT(2), SPILL THE BEANS.
Dictionary of American idioms.
2013.
Look at other dictionaries:
let the cat out of the bag — {v. phr.}, {informal} To tell about something that is supposed to be a secret. * /We wanted to surprise Mary with a birthday gift, but Allen let the cat out of the bag by asking her what she would like./ Sometimes used in another form. * /Well,… … Dictionary of American idioms
let the cat out of the bag — If you reveal a secret, you let the cat out of the bag … The small dictionary of idiomes
let the cat out of the bag — ► let the cat out of the bag informal reveal a secret by mistake. Main Entry: ↑cat … English terms dictionary
let the cat out of the bag — verb divulge confidential information or secrets Be careful his secretary talks • Syn: ↑spill the beans, ↑talk, ↑tattle, ↑blab, ↑peach, ↑babble, ↑sing, ↑babble out, ↑ … Useful english dictionary
let the cat out of the bag — If you accidentally reveal a secret, you let the cat out of the bag. (Dorking School Dictionary) *** If you let the cat out of the bag, you reveal a secret, often unintentionally. When the child told her grandmother about the plans … English Idioms & idiomatic expressions
let the cat out of the bag — reveal a secret Don t let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party for the boss. (from Idioms in Speech) to disclose a secret From the warmth of her embrace he probably divined that he had let the cat out of the bag, for he rode off at… … Idioms and examples
let\ the\ cat\ out\ of\ the\ bag — v. phr. informal To tell about something that is supposed to be a secret. We wanted to surprise Mary with a birthday gift, but Allen let the cat out of the bag by asking her what she would like. Sometimes used in another form. Well, the cat is… … Словарь американских идиом
let the cat out of the bag — tell people, the cat s out of the bag People know we plan to elope. Who let the cat out of the bag? … English idioms
let the cat out of the bag — Meaning To disclose a secret. Origin A favourite country trick used to be to substitute a cat for a pig at markets. If you let the cat out of the bag you disclosed the trick and avoided buying a pig in a poke (bag) … Meaning and origin of phrases
let the cat out of the bag — to tell people secret information, often without intending to. I was trying to keep the party a secret, but Jim went and let the cat out of the bag … New idioms dictionary
