let the cat out of the bag

== English == === Alternative forms === let the cat out the bag let the cat out === Etymology === (Mid-1700s) The inverse of the idiom pig in a poke. If a dishonest merchant tries to sell a cat as a pig and the cat comes out or is taken out of the bag, the merchant's secret is disclosed. === Pronunciation === === Verb === let the cat out of the bag (third-person singular simple present lets the cat out of the bag, present participle letting the cat out of the bag, simple past and past participle let the cat out of the bag) (idiomatic) To disclose a secret; to let a secret be known, often inadvertently. ==== Synonyms ==== (to let a secret be known): spill the beans, talk, tattle, blab, peach (obsolete), babble, sing ==== Translations ==== === See also === === References ===