"Let the cat out of the bag” — Sherlock"
Definition
To let the cat out of the bag means to accidentally reveal a secret that was supposed to stay hidden.
How to use it
In Sherlock, secrets are everything. Letting the cat out of the bag is often catastrophic. The original expression comes from market traders who would try to pass off a cat as a piglet in a bag — if the cat escaped, the trick was revealed. In everyday use, it is usually an accident rather than a deliberate reveal.
Examples
► "She let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party."
► "He did not mean to say it, but he let the cat out of the bag completely."
From the lesson
7 Hollywood Idioms | The Ultimate Compilation
This phrase appears in the 7 Hollywood Idioms | The Ultimate Compilation lesson. Open it to watch the scene and download the free worksheet.
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