![to [let] the cat out of the bag](/assets/img/no-pic-260w.png "to [let] the cat out of the bag")
to [let] the cat out of the bag
[phrase]
to reveal information that were supposed to be kept secret, often by accident
Ex:
Truth, Secrecy, & Deception - Revealing Secrets
Explore English idioms that relate to revealing secrets with examples like "spill the beans" and "give the game away".
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to [spill] the beans
[phrase]
to reveal a secret that one was asked not to tell anyone
Ex:
John
could
n't
keep
a
secret
and
always
ended
up
spilling
the
beans
about
surprises
his
friends
had
planned
for
others
.
(out|) in the open
[phrase]
used of a secret that is now shared with others
Ex:
The
government
promised
to
bring
corruption
cases
out
in
the
open
,
ensuring
transparency
and
accountability
in public
affairs
.
to [catch] {sb} in the act
[phrase]
to see or arrest a person while they are doing something illegal or wrong
Ex:
to [catch] {sb} red-handed
[phrase]
to arrest or see someone the moment they are doing something that is illegal or dishonest
Ex:
to [come] out of the closet
[phrase]
to publicly talk about something such as a belief that one used to keep secret
Ex:
They
come
out of
the
closet
and
reveal
their
long-held
secret
to
the
world
.
to [give] the game away
[phrase]
to reveal something that one was supposed to keep as a secret or surprise
Ex:
The
spy
accidentally
gave
the
game
away
by
mentioning
classified
information
in
a
public
conversation
,
jeopardizing
the
mission
.
to [lift] the lid on {sth}
[phrase]
to cause the truth become revealed, especially an unpleasant one
Ex:
The
documentary film
aims
to
lift
the
lid
on
the
environmental
impact
of
the
fashion industry
,
highlighting
its
harmful
practices
.
to [spill] the tea
[phrase]
to tell others about what has happened to someone, especially about things that are private or controversial, in the person's absence
Ex:
The
reality TV
show
specializes
in
contestants
spilling
the
tea
on
their
fellow
competitors
,
creating
drama
and
suspense
.
to [see] the light (of day|)
[phrase]
to be made known publicly
Ex:
It
took
some time
,
but
eventually
,
she
saw
the
light
and
recognized
the
toxic
nature
of
her
relationship
.
to [call] {one's} bluff
[phrase]
to challenge a person to carry out their seemingly fake threats or claims in order to expose them
Ex:
| Truth, Secrecy, & Deception | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Deception | Secrecy | Keeping Secrets | Lying & Exaggeration |
| Obviousness | Pretense | Revealing Secrets | Depth & Surface |
| Trust & Honesty | Truthfulness | Flattery & Bragging | |