- Meaning
- This idiom describes accidentally or deliberately revealing a secret, surprise, or hidden truth, often spoiling a plan or causing unintended consequences, as if releasing a cat from a bag where it was concealed. It conveys the act of disclosure, used in social, professional, or conspiratorial contexts to highlight the impact of exposed information, carrying a tone of surprise, regret, or mischief. The phrase reflects cultural values of secrecy and the dramatic fallout of breaches, capturing the human tendency to guard or spill sensitive knowledge. It resonates in settings where trust and discretion are critical, emphasizing the ripple effects of a single revelation, and often carries a playful or dramatic flair, making it a vivid metaphor for the moment a hidden truth comes to light.
- Origin
- The phrase likely originated in 16th-century England, possibly tied to market scams where a piglet was sold in a bag but revealed as a less valuable cat when opened, symbolizing deceit exposed. An early use appears in a 1530 *Book of Husbandry* by Anthony Fitzherbert, warning against ‘letting the cat out of the bag’ in trade. The idiom gained traction in the 18th century, reflecting a culture of gossip and intrigue, as seen in Jonathan Swift’s *Polite Conversation* (1738), which uses it for spilled secrets. Its use grew in 19th-century British and American literature, with Charles Dickens’ *Bleak House* (1853) employing it for revealed plots. The phrase’s adoption was amplified in the 20th century through detective fiction and media, notably in Agatha Christie’s novels, where secrets drive narratives. Its spread across English-speaking cultures was fueled by its universal appeal in gossip and intrigue, ensuring its enduring use, from parlor games to corporate leaks.
- Variants
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- Let the cat out of the bag
- Let the cat out of the sack
- Spill the cat out of the bag
- Cat’s out of the bag
- Examples
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- She let the cat out of the bag, revealing the surprise party before the guest arrived.
- Let the cat out of the sack, and the merger plans were exposed early.
- Spill the cat out of the bag? Not me, I’m keeping the secret tight.
- Cat’s out of the bag—everyone knows about the new product launch now.
- He let the cat out of the bag, admitting the team’s strategy to the press.
- Letting the cat out of the bag, she told her friend about the upcoming wedding.
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