32 Better Ways to Say “Let the Cat Out of the Bag”

Ever been in a spot where you accidentally revealed a secret, and thought, ‘Oops, I just let the cat out of the bag’? It happens to the best of us!

But, let’s face it, using the same old phrase can get a bit dull. That’s why we’ve put together a collection of fresh, zippy alternatives to spice up how you talk about spilling the beans.

Whether you’re writing a story, chatting with friends, or crafting a witty post, these 32 expressions will give you new, fun ways to say someone has revealed a secret. So, let’s get right into it and add some new flair to your phrasebook!

32 Alternatives to “Let the Car Out of the Bag”

1. Spill the beans.
2. Blow the cover.
3. Reveal the secret.
4. Disclose the truth.
5. Unveil the mystery.
6. Lift the veil.
7. Break the news.
8. Give away the game.
9. Tell the untold.
10. Uncover the hidden.
11. Open Pandora’s box.
12. Air the dirty laundry.
13. Leak the story.
14. Show one’s hand.
15. Divulge the details.
16. Expose the facts.
17. Bare the truth.
18. Unwrap the secret.
19. Unlock the mystery.
20. Broadcast the unknown.
21. Confess the concealed.
22. Unearth the hidden.
23. Release the information.
24. Let slip the secret.
25. Bring to light.
26. Whistle-blow.
27. Drop the bombshell.
28. Reveal the undisclosed.
29. Share the insider info.
30. Dispel the secrecy.
31. Announce the unspoken.
32. Unmask the truth.

Examples On When to Use “Let the Cat out of the Bag”

“Let the cat out of the bag” is a colorful phrase you’d use when someone reveals a secret, often unintentionally or unexpectedly.

It’s perfect for those moments when confidential information slips out, changing the course of a conversation or even an event. Here are a few examples to paint a clearer picture:

1. Surprise Parties: Imagine you’ve planned a surprise birthday party for a friend, and another friend accidentally mentions it in front of the birthday person. That’s a classic case of letting the cat out of the bag, as the surprise is now spoiled.
2. Business Contexts: In a business meeting, if someone unintentionally reveals a confidential detail about an upcoming product or strategy to someone outside the company, they’ve effectively let the cat out of the bag, potentially impacting business plans or competitive advantage.
3. Personal News: If a family member shares news of another’s engagement or pregnancy before they’re ready to announce it themselves, that’s another scenario where the phrase fits. It captures the unintended disclosure of personal and significant news.
4. In Conversation: During a casual chat, if someone slips up and shares a piece of gossip or a secret they were supposed to keep, they’ve let the cat out of the bag, possibly leading to some awkward moments or unintended consequences.
5. Media and Public Figures: If a journalist or a public figure accidentally discloses information they were supposed to keep under wraps, whether about a political decision, celebrity news, or an upcoming event, they’ve let the cat out of the bag, often leading to widespread public reaction.

In all these scenarios, the phrase captures the essence of a secret getting out, typically leading to surprise, shock, or a need to adjust plans.

It’s a handy idiom for situations where confidentiality is key, but the information escapes into the open, often leading to unforeseen outcomes.

History of “Let the Cat Out of the Bag”

The phrase “let the cat out of the bag” has an interesting and somewhat debated history, with various theories about its origins.

Here are some of the main points in its historical journey:

1. Marketplace Deception Theory: One popular theory dates back to medieval marketplaces. It’s said that unscrupulous sellers would trick buyers by substituting a piglet, which was valuable, for a less valuable cat and selling it in a bag. If someone accidentally or purposely let the cat out of the bag, the deceit was revealed. This theory, while colorful, lacks substantial historical evidence.
2. Naval Punishment Theory: Another explanation links the phrase to naval discipline in the British Royal Navy. The ‘cat’ in this context refers to the ‘cat-o’-nine-tails,’ a whip used for flogging as punishment. This whip was kept in a bag, and ‘letting the cat out of the bag’ involved revealing the whip before a punishment, hence disclosing an unpleasant surprise. However, this theory is also considered speculative by many historians.
3. Literal Interpretation: Some suggest that the phrase should be taken more literally, referring to actual instances where cats were kept in bags, and letting one out would reveal a hidden or secreted cat. This explanation, while straightforward, doesn’t fully account for the phrase’s metaphorical meaning of revealing a secret.
4. Early Uses in Literature: The phrase appears in literature in the 18th century. It was used in its current figurative sense in a 1760 book by London playwright Thomas Gilchrist, suggesting that by this time, the phrase was already in colloquial use.
5. Evolution and Popularity: Over time, the phrase evolved into a popular idiom in the English language, used to describe the act of revealing a secret or disclosing information that was supposed to be concealed. Its colorful imagery and mysterious origins likely contributed to its enduring popularity.

Despite the various theories, the exact origins of “let the cat out of the bag” remain somewhat obscure.

Like many idioms, it may have evolved from a combination of societal practices, linguistic developments, and cultural storytelling, eventually cementing its place as a common English expression for inadvertently revealing a secret.