LET the CAT OUT of the BAG – Meaning

Learning a number of English idioms can make your English sound more natural and conversational. Idioms also add colour to your language and help you to be more fluent.

In this video we examine the common idiom: “Let the cat out of the bag” with meanings and examples.

Here is a transcript of the video:

Slide 1:
LET the CAT OUT of the BAG
Definition & Examples

Slide 2:
Definition of: LET the CAT OUT of the BAG

to reveal a secret, often through carelessness or by mistake

Slide 3:
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Slide 4:
The picture shows a little boy looking up.

Sentence example: She was going to tell the rest of the family later that she was pregnant.

Unfortunately, her little boy let the cat out of the bag when he proudly announced to everyone: “I’m going to have a baby sister!”

Slide 5:
The picture shows some colleagues laughing in a business meeting.

Sentence example: Jokingly she said: “We were going to have a surprise party to mark Sam’s 5 years with the company, but as someone in this room who will remain nameless, let the cat out of the bag, it’s no longer a surprise!”

Note: the expression “who will remain nameless” means they will not be identified in order to save them embarrassment.

Slide 6:
The picture shows famous actor Daniel Craig at a film festival.

Sentence example: When asked about the next James Bond movie, Daniel Craig nearly let the cat out of the bag, but just managed to stop himself in time.

Slide 7:
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Slide 8:
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Here are some additional examples of “Let the cat out of the bag” so you can get a full understanding of the meaning:

Supposedly just commenting on imminent plans, Albarn seemed to also let the cat out of the bag regarding Blur’s immediate future.
Source: The Guardian
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/may/07/blur-hint-new-album

“That’s difficult because I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag,” Dave Davies said in a phone interview from New Jersey, where he spends a chunk of his time.
Source: Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2017/03/20/dave-davies-says-some-new-kinks-songs-have-been-demod-if-only-his-brother-would-let-them-finish/

Stewart apparently let the cat out of the bag at today’s episode taping, and told the audience he is “retiring.”
Source: The Verge
http://www.theverge.com/2015/2/10/8016257/jon-stewart-is-reportedly-leaving-the-daily-show

Benioff already let the cat out of the bag on the company’s new platform for business intelligence, called Wave.
Source: Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/sites/alexkonrad/2014/10/14/salesforce-dreamforce-2014-primer/

President Biden let the cat out of the bag when he said that “capitalism without competition isn’t capitalism; it’s exploitation.”
Source: Salon
https://www.salon.com/2021/08/13/biotechnology-greed-is-prolonging-the-pandemic-its-inexcusable_partner/

To improve your English, learn key root words as explained on this page:
ROOT WORDS: Why Learn Them?

Image Credits

Slide 4 – little boy
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Slide 5 – business meeting
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Slide 6 – Daniel Craig
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https://flic.kr/p/2hd9oTs

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