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let the cat out of the bag

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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.

See also: bag, cat, let, of, out

let the cat out of the bag

to tell something that is a secret, often without intending to Amazingly, not one of the people who knew about the surprise let the cat out of the bag.

See also: bag, cat, let, of, out

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.

See also: bag, cat, let, of, out

let the cat out of the bag

Give away a secret, as in Mom let the cat out of the bag and told us Karen was engaged. This expression alludes to the dishonest practice of a merchant substituting a worthless cat for a valuable pig, which is discovered only when the buyer gets home and opens the bag. [Mid-1700s] Also see pig in a poke.

See also: bag, cat, let, of, out

let the cat out of the bag

To let a secret be known.

See also: bag, cat, let, of, out