The cat’s out of the bag

Meaning
This idiom describes a secret, plan, or hidden truth that has been revealed, often accidentally, making it impossible to conceal any longer, as if a cat has escaped from a bag where it was hidden. It conveys the exposure of something meant to stay confidential, typically used in personal, professional, or conspiratorial contexts to highlight the impact of a disclosure, often with a sense of surprise or consequence. The phrase carries a tone of revelation, mischief, or inevitability, reflecting cultural interest in secrecy and the human tendency to spill or uncover truths. It resonates in moments of unexpected openness, capturing the drama of a secret’s release, and its feline imagery adds a layer of playful vividness, evoking a cat’s sudden escape. The idiom often implies a shift in dynamics, making it a lively metaphor for the moment confidentiality is broken.
Origin
The phrase likely originated in 16th-century England, tied to market scams where a piglet was sold in a bag but revealed as a less valuable cat when opened, symbolizing exposed deceit, as noted in market records. Its metaphorical use for secrets emerged in the 17th century, with an early appearance in Samuel Pepys’ 1661 diary: ‘The cat’s out of the bag’ for a revealed plot. The idiom gained traction in the 18th century, reflecting a culture of gossip and intrigue, as seen in Jonathan Swift’s *Polite Conversation* (1738). Its use grew in 19th-century British and American literature, particularly in detective and romantic narratives, with Charles Dickens’ *Bleak House* (1853) using it for exposed secrets. The phrase’s adoption was amplified in the 20th century through media, notably in Agatha Christie’s novels like *Murder on the Orient Express* (1934), where secrets drive plots. Its spread to Commonwealth English came through British influence, and its vivid imagery, evoking a cat’s escape, and its applicability to revelation ensured its enduring use across English-speaking cultures, from gossip to corporate leaks.
Variants
  • The cat’s out of the bag
  • Cat’s out of the bag
  • Let the cat out of the bag
  • Cat’s out of the sack
Examples
  • The cat’s out of the bag—everyone knows about the surprise party now.
  • Cat’s out of the bag; she spilled the merger plans to the press.
  • Let the cat out of the bag, he did, revealing the new product early.
  • Cat’s out of the sack—our secret project is no longer secret.
  • The cat’s out of the bag, and now we must address the rumor.
  • Cat’s out of the bag—she admitted the truth about the budget cuts.

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