Definition: To reveal a secret accidentally. This idiom is used when one or more people learn new information that was meant to stay hidden or unknown. It is often used when someone shares the secret information verbally, but it can also be used when the information is discovered in other ways. The origin of this saying is disputed, but the most common explanation is that it came from a trick that was used in the past in English market places. Apparently, at an earlier time in history, baby pigs were often sold at market. The seller would give the buyer the piglet in a bag. As a trick to save money, the seller would sometimes stick a cat in the bag rather
than a piglet. The buyer might not realize he had been cheated until the cat came out of the bag, and the trick was revealed. Here is an example conversation between family members, in which the child has been hiding a failing grade in his mathematics class. Father: Hi, son. How was school today? Son: Great! I’m getting really good grades in all my classes. Mother: Really? Even in your math class? Son: Yep! Especially in my math class. Father: Son, your teacher called us today and told us you’re failing the math class. She let the cat out of the bag. There’s no reason to lie any more. Son: I’m sorry. I was just embarrassed and didn’t want to tell you. More Examples
Pronunciation in American English The two words “out of” often get blended together in speech. Once blended, this part of the phrase sounds like “outta.” The whole phrase together sounds like, “He let the cat outta the bag.” Also, if you don’t know who told the secret, you can simply say, “The cat’s outta the bag.” SummaryThe idiom let the cat out of the bag is a great phrase to use when you want to let someone know that previously secret information is no longer a secret. Contents
To disclose a secret: “The mayor's visit was to be kept strictly confidential, but someone must have let the cat out of the bag, because the airport was swarming with reporters.” QUIZ SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE? Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge! Question 1 of 6 Which form is commonly used with other verbs to express intention? Words nearby let the cat out of the bagletterspace, letters patent, letters testamentary, letter stock, letterwood, let the cat out of the bag, let the chips fall where they may, let the grass grow under one's feet, Let them eat cake, Let there be light, let the side down The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Words related to let the cat out of the bagblow, betray, blab, disclose, divulge, inform, mouth, squeal, tattle, tell, give away, leak, let slip, sing, spill, squawk How to use let the cat out of the bag in a sentence
Other Idioms and Phrases with let the cat out of the baglet 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. The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. What does to let the cat out of the bag mean?let the cat out of the bag, to To give away a secret. This expression dates from an ancient practice of substituting a worthless cat for a valuable suckling pig by a dishonest tradesman in a farmer’s market.
What's the origin of "let the cat out of the bag"?let the cat out of the bag
What does cat is out of the bag mean?“Let the cat out of the bag” means to disclose a secret or to leak a confidential data, talk or material. The idiom has the connotative meaning of telling closed or important information openly. In other words the idiom means to public any unknown or uncommunicated information. This phrase means to communicate any unknown or closed data.
Are cats usually afraid of plastic bags?While cats love to sit on plastic bags, the sound they occasionally put off can scare them. The sound the bag makes as you’re shaking it out to open it up and place it in the can is alarming to a cat. Cats are generally afraid of loud, sudden noises and instinctively will run off to take cover. It’s similar to starting up a vacuum.
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Cat is out of the bag meaning
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