What does “Spill the beans” mean?
To reveal secret or confidential information.
Main example sentence
“We planned a surprise party until my younger brother accidentally spilled the beans.”
How and when to use it
This idiom is informal and often appears in lighthearted situations such as surprise plans, announcements, or harmless gossip. Context matters: when the information is sensitive or the consequences are serious, direct language such as disclosed confidential information is clearer and more respectful.
More natural examples
- No one spilled the beans about the farewell party.
- Come on, spill the beans—did you get the new job?
- Leo accidentally spilled the beans before the official announcement.
- The children nearly spilled the beans about their handmade gift.
Playful phrase, real consequences
The wording can make a secret sound harmless or amusing. Avoid using it to minimize a serious breach of privacy or trust.
How the verb changes
Spill changes with tense: 'spill the beans,' 'spilled the beans,' and 'has spilled the beans.' Beans remains plural in the fixed expression.
A closely related expression
Let the cat out of the bag also means to reveal a secret, especially by mistake. The two phrases often overlap, while 'spill the beans' can additionally be a direct request to tell the secret.