SPILL THE BEANS

SPILL THE BEANS in a sentence

• His spilling of the beans about the surprise party ruined the whole plan.
• The spill of the beans occurred during a casual conversation, catching everyone off guard.
• Her unintentional spill of the beans led to a cascade of revelations.
• The spill of the beans caused a rift in their friendship, as trust was broken.
• His spill of the beans came as a shock to everyone present at the meeting.
• The unexpected spill of the beans revealed long-hidden family secrets.
• Their relationship was strained by the spill of the beans, as trust was difficult to rebuild.
• Despite efforts to keep it under wraps, the spill of the beans about the merger leaked to the press.

Origin of SPILL THE BEANS

The phrase spill the beans is thought to have originated in the United States in the early 20th century, with its exact origin unclear.

Metaphorically, it means to reveal or disclose secret or confidential information, often unintentionally or without authorization. The phrase is believed to have its roots in a gambling context, where beans were used as markers for betting. If someone accidentally knocked over a container of beans, it would reveal the contents and thus disclose the information about the bet.

Over time, the phrase has evolved to describe any situation where someone divulges information that was meant to be kept secret or confidential. It is often used colloquially to encourage someone to reveal details or share gossip.

This idiom has become a common expression in English-speaking cultures, and its usage extends beyond gambling contexts to encompass various situations where information is inadvertently disclosed.

Synonyms

• Divulge
• Disclose
• Leak
• Let the cat out of the bag
• Give away
• Reveal
• Uncover
• Let slip

Antonyms

• Keep mum
• Conceal
• Withhold
• Guard a secret
• Keep a secret
• Maintain confidentiality
• Conceal information
• Guard a secret