spill the beans

/spɪl ðə biːnz/◆idiom

reveal a secret

She accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party.

She accidentally revealed the secret about the surprise party.

◆ What It Really Means

To unintentionally reveal a secret or confidential information, often causing surprise or disappointment.

¶ Literal Meaning

To accidentally cause beans to fall out of their container.

Literal Breakdown

spillto cause liquid or small objects to fall out of a container+the beanssmall, edible seeds typically stored in a container

◇ Mental Image

Imagine a container of beans accidentally tipped over, scattering the beans everywhere. The mess represents the chaos caused by revealing a secret.

◈ When to Use

During a surprise birthday party planning, someone accidentally mentions the date to the birthday person before the party. The organizer might say, 'Who spilled the beans?'

◉ Cultural Note

The phrase likely originates from ancient Greek voting systems where beans were used to tally votes. Spilling the beans would reveal the outcome prematurely, leading to its modern metaphorical use.

informal

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.

Collocations

spill the beans to someonetell someone a secret unintentionally

Synonyms

let the cat out of the bag blab divulge reveal disclose

Antonyms

keep it under wraps keep it secret conceal

Related Phrases

let the cat out of the bagidiom

reveal a secret

keep it under wrapsidiom

keep something secret

blow the whistleidiom

expose wrongdoing

Pro Tip

When to use 'spill the beans'

Use this idiom when someone accidentally reveals information they were supposed to keep secret. It emphasizes the unintentional nature of the disclosure.

Gold Rule

Avoid in formal contexts

This idiom is informal. In professional or academic writing, use 'reveal,' 'disclose,' or 'let the secret out' instead.

Word Origin

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.

Usage Notes

This idiom is informal and should be avoided in formal writing or professional contexts. It implies unintentional disclosure rather than deliberate sharing.

Word Breakdown

spill

to cause something to flow out accidentally

verb

the beans

secrets or confidential information (metaphorical)

noun phrase

English Dictionary

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