You’re trying to keep a surprise party under wraps, but someone accidentally mentions the decorations. Uh-oh—the secret’s out! That’s a perfect moment to say someone let the cat out of the bag. In this post, we’ll dive into what this idiom means, where it came from, and how you can use it in everyday English.
Meaning of “Let the Cat Out of the Bag”
The idiom “let the cat out of the bag” means to reveal a secret, disclose hidden information, or spoil a surprise—often by accident.
It can describe:
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A person accidentally sharing confidential news.
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A surprise being revealed too early.
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Someone intentionally spilling the truth.
👉 In short: “Let the cat out of the bag” = to reveal a secret, usually unintentionally.
Origin of “Let the Cat Out of the Bag”
The origin of this phrase dates back several centuries and is wrapped in a bit of mystery.
The most popular theory links it to old marketplace scams in medieval England. Farmers sold piglets in sacks, but some dishonest ones would swap the piglet with a cat. If the buyer checked the bag before buying, they’d literally “let the cat out of the bag” and expose the trick!
Another theory ties it to the British Navy’s “cat o’ nine tails” whip, used for punishment and kept in a bag. Once it was brought out, it meant trouble was about to start.
While the marketplace story is more widely accepted, both origins show how vivid and colorful old English expressions can be.
Examples in Sentences
Here are a few ways to use “let the cat out of the bag” in different contexts:
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Casual: “Tom let the cat out of the bag about our secret weekend trip.”
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Formal: “During the interview, the spokesperson accidentally let the cat out of the bag about the company’s new product.”
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Casual: “Don’t let the cat out of the bag—she still thinks it’s just a regular dinner!”
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Formal: “Once the confidential memo was shared, the firm had effectively let the cat out of the bag.”
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Playful: “I didn’t mean to let the cat out of the bag—it just slipped out!”
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Humorous: “If I tell you, that’s like letting the cat out of the bag twice!”
Similar Idioms or Phrases
If you like “let the cat out of the bag,” you’ll enjoy these similar English expressions:
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Spill the beans – Reveal a secret or private information.
“He spilled the beans about the surprise party.” -
Blow the whistle – Expose wrongdoing or reveal a hidden truth.
“The journalist blew the whistle on the corruption case.” -
Give the game away – Accidentally reveal a plan or secret.
“Her reaction gave the game away.” -
Let slip – Casually or unintentionally reveal something secret.
“He let slip that they were getting married next month.”
PERSONAL INSIGHT
I find this idiom incredibly charming because it’s so visual—you can almost see that poor cat bursting out of the bag! I often use it when students share spoilers or surprises too soon. It’s a lighthearted way to remind people to keep things under wraps.
CONCLUSION
To “let the cat out of the bag” means to reveal a secret or spoil a surprise, often without intending to. Whether it came from a medieval marketplace or a sailor’s punishment bag, it’s one of English’s most colorful idioms—and one that’s still widely used today.
Do you use “let the cat out of the bag” in your daily life? Drop your favorite examples or stories in the comments below—just don’t spill too many secrets! 🐱🎉