What does “Let the cat out of the bag” mean?
To reveal a secret carelessly or by accident.
Main example sentence
“We wanted the trip to be a surprise, but Sara let the cat out of the bag.”
How and when to use it
The idiom works best for informal, relatively light situations such as surprise parties, gifts, and announcements. It can describe a serious disclosure, but the playful image may understate the consequences. Use direct language when privacy, confidentiality, or safety is involved.
More natural examples
- A calendar notification let the cat out of the bag before they could share the news.
- Try not to let the cat out of the bag before the award is announced.
- Her excited message accidentally let the cat out of the bag.
- Everyone knew about the move after his brother let the cat out of the bag.
Usually light and conversational
The expression often makes the mistake sound human or amusing. It is less suitable for describing a deliberate leak or a serious violation of confidence.
Verb forms in the expression
The present form is 'let the cat out of the bag.' Let is also the past form: 'She let the cat out of the bag yesterday,' not 'letted.'
How it compares with “spill the beans”
Both idioms can mean revealing a secret. Let the cat out of the bag strongly suggests an accidental reveal, while spill the beans can also mean deliberately telling what one knows.