PhrasesHub

Spill the beans

    Definitions

      • reveal a secret or confidential information
        To disclose or share information that was supposed to be kept secret, often unintentionally or under pressure.

      • ruin a surprise or plan
        To inadvertently spoil or ruin a surprise or plan by revealing information that was meant to be kept under wraps.

      • confess or tell the truth
        To confess or reveal something that was previously hidden or kept secret, often under pressure or in a moment of weakness.

    Examples of Spill the beans

    • The suspect finally spilled the beans and confessed to the crime.

      This idiom means to reveal a secret or truth that was previously kept hidden. It comes from the idea of spilling something, such as beans, out of a container, which can accidentally reveal what was inside.

    • I've been dying to tell you this, but I didn't want to spill the beans too soon.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to indicate that someone has been keeping a secret and is waiting for the right time to reveal it.

    • I can't believe he spilled the beans to the wrong person. Now everyone knows our plan.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to express frustration or disappointment when a secret is accidentally revealed to the wrong person.

    • The witness was reluctant to spill the beans, but the detective was able to persuade her to reveal the truth.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to indicate that someone is hesitant to reveal a secret, but can be convinced to do so.

    • The company's financial problems were finally spilled the beans by an anonymous source.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to indicate that a secret has been revealed by an unexpected source.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "spill the beans" is often used to refer to the act of revealing or disclosing confidential information or secrets. It can also be used to describe unintentionally ruining a surprise or confessing the truth. In all cases, the idiom suggests that information was shared or disclosed that was supposed to remain private or secret.

    Origin of "Spill the beans"

    The exact origin of the idiom "spill the beans" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in ancient Greece during a voting process. Beans were used as ballots, and if someone accidentally knocked over the container holding the beans, it would reveal the votes and potentially sway the outcome of the vote. This idea of revealing something unintentionally or accidentally is thought to be the origin of the idiom.

    Another theory suggests that the idiom may have originated from a children's game called "Guessing the Thimble," where a thimble would be hidden under one of several cups and players would have to guess which cup it was under. If someone accidentally knocked over the cup and revealed the thimble, they would be said to have "spilled the beans."

    Regardless of its exact origin, the idiom has been in use since at least the early 20th century and has become a common phrase in the English language. It is often used in a lighthearted or humorous manner, but can also have more serious connotations when referring to revealing sensitive or confidential information.