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let the cat out of the bag

Meaning: to reveal a secret inadvertently.

Language: English

Literally: to let a cat out of a bag

Category: Animals

Origin: Medieval market fraud where cats were substituted for piglets in bags; buyers discovered the deception.

More idioms — Animals

  • go belly up — to fail completely; to go bankrupt.
  • bark up the wrong tree — to pursue a wrong course; to blame the wrong person.
  • get your ducks in a row — to organize yourself; to prepare systematically.
  • in a pig's eye — absolutely not; never; expressing strong disagreement.
  • like a fish out of water — uncomfortable or awkward in a situation; out of one's element.
  • bury the hatchet — to make peace; to settle a dispute.

More English idioms

  • pull your punches — to hold back; to be less forceful than you could be.
  • spill the tea — to reveal gossip or scandalous information.
  • wear your heart on your sleeve — to display emotions openly; to be transparent about feelings.
  • mad as a box of frogs — completely crazy; chaotic and unpredictable.
  • have the wool pulled over your eyes — to be deceived or fooled.
  • not worth your salt — incompetent; not deserving of wages or respect.

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