How do you use "Let the cat out of the bag" in a sentence?

I let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party — I feel terrible. Don't let the cat out of the bag about the promotion until it's official. He accidentally let the cat out of the bag when he mentioned the meeting.

Let the cat out of the bag

Q: What does "Let the cat out of the bag" mean?

To accidentally reveal a secret. Used when someone unintentionally discloses something that was supposed to remain hidden. Unlike 'spill the beans' (which can be intentional), letting the cat out of the bag usually implies an accidental slip. Once the cat is out, you can't put it back — the secret is revealed.

American Slang Term American ★★★★☆ Common informal

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Meaning: To accidentally reveal a secret.

不小心泄露了秘密。说漏嘴。

Revelar un secreto sin querer.

うっかり秘密を漏らすこと。

실수로 비밀을 누설하는 것.

Used when someone unintentionally discloses something that was supposed to remain hidden. Unlike 'spill the beans' (which can be intentional), letting the cat out of the bag usually implies an accidental slip. Once the cat is out, you can't put it back — the secret is revealed.

用于描述某人无意中泄露了本应保密的事情。与 'spill the beans'（可以是故意的）不同，let the cat out of the bag 通常暗示是无意的口误。一旦猫跑出了袋子，就塞不回去了——秘密已经曝光了。

Se usa cuando alguien revela involuntariamente algo que se suponía debía permanecer oculto. A diferencia de 'spill the beans' (que puede ser intencionado), dejar que el gato salga de la bolsa suele implicar un desliz accidental. Una vez que el gato ha salido, no se le puede meter de vuelta: el secreto ya se ha revelado.

隠しておくべきことをうっかり明かしてしまうときに使う。「spill the beans（秘密をばらす）」とは異なり（意図的な場合もある）、let the cat out of the bagは通常、うっかりした失言を意味する。一度猫が出てしまったら戻せない——秘密は明るみに出てしまったのだ。

숨겨야 할 것을 의도치 않게 공개할 때 사용한다. 'spill the beans(의도적일 수도 있음)'와 달리, 이 표현은 보통 실수로 말을 흘린 것을 암시한다. 고양이가 한번 나오면 다시 넣을 수 없듯이—비밀은 이미 드러난 것이다.

Examples

I let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party — I feel terrible.
我不小心把惊喜派对的事说漏了嘴——我太自责了。
Se me escapó lo de la fiesta sorpresa: me siento fatal.
サプライズパーティーのことをうっかり漏らしてしまった——本当に申し訳ない。
서프라이즈 파티를 실수로 발설해 버렸어—정말 미안해.
Don't let the cat out of the bag about the promotion until it's official.
在正式公布之前，别把升职的事说漏嘴。
No dejes que se te escape lo del ascenso hasta que sea oficial.
正式発表までは昇進のことを口外しないでね。
정식 발표 전까지 승진 이야기는 입 밖에 내지 마.
He accidentally let the cat out of the bag when he mentioned the meeting.
他无意间提到了那个会议，秘密就这样泄露了。
Se le escapó el secreto sin querer cuando mencionó la reunión.
彼が会議のことをうっかり口にして、秘密がバレてしまった。
그가 회의 얘기를 무심코 꺼내는 바람에 비밀이 탄로 났다.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: secrets, accidents, gossip

Tone: apologetic, revealing

✓ Do Say

Oops, I let the cat out of the bag.
Oops, I let the cat out of the bag.
Ups, se me escapó el secreto.
Oops, I let the cat out of the bag.（しまった、うっかりバラしちゃった。）
앗, 실수로 비밀을 말해버렸어.
Don't let the cat out of the bag.
Don't let the cat out of the bag.
No vayas a soltar la liebre.
Don't let the cat out of the bag.（秘密を漏らさないでね。）
비밀을 누설하지 마.

✗ Don't Say

It implies the reveal was accidental — don't use it if someone deliberately shared a secret
它暗示泄露是无意的——如果某人是故意分享秘密的，就不要用这个说法
Implica que la revelación fue accidental: no lo uses si alguien compartió un secreto deliberadamente
うっかり漏らしたことを意味するので、誰かが意図的に秘密を共有した場合には使わないこと
이 표현은 실수로 누설한 것을 암시한다—누군가가 의도적으로 비밀을 공유한 경우에는 사용하지 말 것

Origin & History

Possibly from medieval markets, where dishonest merchants would sell a cat in a bag, claiming it was a piglet. Opening the bag to inspect revealed the deception — 'letting the cat out of the bag.' The phrase has been used in American English since the 1700s.

Cultural Context

Era: 1700s-present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal