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to reveal a secret or confidential information unintentionally
If you spill the beans about the surprise, it won't be fun anymore.
If you reveal the secret about the surprise, it won't be enjoyable anymore.
He spilled the beans to his friend about the promotion before HR announced it.
He unintentionally told his friend about the promotion before HR announced it.
Often used in casual conversation to describe accidental disclosure.
Use this idiom when someone accidentally reveals information they were supposed to keep secret. It emphasizes the unintentional nature of the disclosure.
This idiom is informal. In professional or academic writing, use 'reveal,' 'disclose,' or 'let the secret out' instead.
The phrase dates back to ancient Greece, where beans were used in voting. A white bean indicated a 'yes' vote, while a black bean meant 'no.' If someone spilled the beans, the vote's outcome would be revealed prematurely. The phrase evolved into its current idiomatic meaning by the early 20th century.
This idiom is informal and should be avoided in formal writing or professional contexts. It implies unintentional disclosure rather than deliberate sharing.