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.

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  • 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

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