let the cat out of the bag
To reveal a secret accidentally
Wörtlich: Allow the feline to exit the sack
Use this when a secret is accidentally revealed, especially regarding surprises, gifts, or office news.
In 15 Sekunden
- Revealing a secret or a surprise by accident.
- Used when someone speaks too soon and ruins a mystery.
- A very common, visual idiom for daily English conversation.
Bedeutung
This phrase is used when someone accidentally tells a secret that was supposed to be hidden. It is that 'oops' moment when a surprise is ruined because someone spoke too soon.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Planning a surprise party
I was trying to keep the party a secret, but Sarah let the cat out of the bag.
I tried to keep the party secret, but Sarah revealed it accidentally.
A business leak
The CEO let the cat out of the bag about the new iPhone during the interview.
The CEO accidentally revealed the new iPhone during the interview.
Texting a friend about a crush
Oops! I think I just let the cat out of the bag about who Mark likes.
Oops! I think I just accidentally told Mark's secret.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase likely originated from 18th-century livestock fraud where 'pigs in a poke' (bags) were replaced with cats. It became a popular English idiom to describe the moment a fraud or a secret is exposed. It remains one of the most common metaphors for accidental disclosure in the English-speaking world.
The 'Oops' Factor
Use this specifically when the reveal feels like a mistake. If you reveal a secret on purpose to be mean, use 'betray' or 'snitch' instead.
Don't Change the Animal
English speakers never say 'let the dog out' or 'let the lion out.' It must be a cat, or it won't make sense!
In 15 Sekunden
- Revealing a secret or a surprise by accident.
- Used when someone speaks too soon and ruins a mystery.
- A very common, visual idiom for daily English conversation.
What It Means
Imagine you are holding a bag with a hidden cat inside. If you open it, the cat jumps out. You cannot put it back easily. This idiom describes revealing a secret. Usually, it happens by accident. You didn't mean to say it. But now, everyone knows the truth. It is about the loss of a surprise.
How To Use It
You use this phrase as a verb. You can say someone let the cat out of the bag. It works in the past tense most often. You can also use it to warn someone. 'Don't let the cat out of the bag!' Use it when a surprise party is ruined. Use it when a company secret is leaked. It sounds natural and very visual.
When To Use It
Use it when talking about spoilers for movies. Use it at work if a promotion is leaked early. It is perfect for social gossip. If you accidentally tell your mom about her gift, you did it. It fits well in emails to friends. It also works in casual office meetings. It adds a bit of color to your speech.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for very serious or tragic news. If someone passes away, this phrase is too light. Avoid it in high-level legal documents. It is a bit too playful for a courtroom. Also, do not use it if the secret was told on purpose to hurt someone. That is 'betrayal,' not just 'letting a cat out.' Keep it for accidents and surprises.
Cultural Background
This phrase is hundreds of years old. Some say it comes from old markets. Dishonest sellers put a cheap cat in a bag. They told buyers it was a tasty pig. If the cat jumped out, the trick was over. The secret was out! Today, we don't sell cats in bags. But we still hate it when surprises are ruined.
Common Variations
There aren't many ways to change the words. You must keep the cat and the bag. You can say the secret is out. You can say the cat is out. Some people say spill the beans. That means the same thing. However, spilling the beans is often more intentional. Letting the cat out feels more like a clumsy mistake.
Nutzungshinweise
This idiom is highly versatile and safe for B1 learners. It sits in the 'neutral' register, making it appropriate for both casual coffee chats and standard office communication.
The 'Oops' Factor
Use this specifically when the reveal feels like a mistake. If you reveal a secret on purpose to be mean, use 'betray' or 'snitch' instead.
Don't Change the Animal
English speakers never say 'let the dog out' or 'let the lion out.' It must be a cat, or it won't make sense!
The Pig in a Poke
This idiom is related to 'buying a pig in a poke' (buying something without looking). Both come from old market tricks involving cats and bags!
Beispiele
6I was trying to keep the party a secret, but Sarah let the cat out of the bag.
I tried to keep the party secret, but Sarah revealed it accidentally.
The most common use case: a ruined surprise.
The CEO let the cat out of the bag about the new iPhone during the interview.
The CEO accidentally revealed the new iPhone during the interview.
Used here for professional but accidental leaks.
Oops! I think I just let the cat out of the bag about who Mark likes.
Oops! I think I just accidentally told Mark's secret.
Very common in gossip and social texting.
The cat is officially out of the bag: I'm wearing two different socks today.
The secret is out: I am wearing different socks.
Used jokingly for a 'secret' that isn't actually important.
We weren't going to tell anyone yet, but my toddler let the cat out of the bag.
We weren't going to tell, but our child revealed the secret.
Shows the accidental nature of the reveal.
Please don't let the cat out of the bag before the official announcement.
Please do not reveal the secret before the official announcement.
Used as a command or request for secrecy.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct word to complete the idiom.
I didn't mean to tell her about the gift; I just accidentally let the ___ out of the bag.
The idiom is specifically 'let the cat out of the bag.' Other animals are not used.
Select the best context for this phrase.
Which situation fits 'letting the cat out of the bag'?
This idiom is specifically for revealing secrets or surprises by mistake.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality Scale
Too structured for street slang.
N/A
Perfect for friends and family.
Guess what? I let the cat out of the bag!
Safe for office and emails.
Someone let the cat out of the bag regarding the merger.
A bit too colorful for legal papers.
The information was disclosed prematurely.
When to use 'Let the Cat out of the Bag'
Surprise Party
Mentioning the cake too early.
Movie Spoilers
Telling the ending by mistake.
Office News
Leaking a promotion.
Gossip
Sharing a crush.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot at all! It is a very friendly and common way to describe a mistake. You can even use it about yourself if you feel guilty.
Yes, it is fine for internal emails. For example: We don't want to let the cat out of the bag before the press release.
Spill the beans is often used when someone is pressured to tell a secret. Let the cat out of the bag is almost always an accident.
Yes! This is a very common variation. It means the secret is already known by everyone now.
It is always let. Using leave would be grammatically incorrect for this idiom.
It is usually for neutral or happy secrets (surprises). For very tragic news, it sounds a bit too light-hearted.
Both! It is used across the entire English-speaking world, from London to New York to Sydney.
Exactly. It is just a more colorful, idiomatic way of saying the secret is no longer hidden.
In the origin story, yes! But today, we only use it metaphorically. Please don't put real cats in bags!
If it's on purpose, you might say you leaked the info or blew the whistle if it's about a crime.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Spill the beans
To reveal secret information, often under pressure.
Give the game away
To accidentally reveal a plan or a trick.
Blurt it out
To say something suddenly and without thinking.
The cat's out of the bag
The secret is already known.
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