Meaning & Origin
“Let the cat out of the bag” means to reveal a secret — sometimes unintentionally — so that the hidden information becomes public. The phrase has appeared in English for centuries; explanations vary, but all point to the idea of exposing something that was meant to stay concealed.
Pronunciation Guide
- let the CAT out of the BAG — steady rhythm with stress on “cat” and “bag.”
- of the — often reduced to “uhv thuh” in fast speech.
Usage & Sentence Examples
Use it when someone reveals confidential or surprise information.
- Who let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party?
- If we post early, we’ll be letting the cat out of the bag.
- She accidentally let the cat out of the bag during the demo.
- Legal warned us not to let the cat out of the bag before the filing.
- The leak let the cat out of the bag and killed the announcement.
- Please don’t let the cat out of the bag — the beta invites go out Monday.
Synonyms
spill the beans · reveal the secret · give the game away · blow the surprise · tip your hand · leak information
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