Blurt something out 💨🗣️

Meaning

To say something suddenly and without thinking, often something embarrassing or tactless.

Origin

Imagine a sudden, involuntary expulsion, like a bubble bursting or liquid spilling unexpectedly. The word 'blurt' itself likely emerged in the early modern period, possibly from onomatopoeia, mimicking the sound of something being suddenly released. We don't have exact records of the first time someone 'blurted' words, but the feeling is ancient. It evokes that moment of losing control over your tongue, a sudden, uncontainable utterance escaping before you could stop it, leaving you a bit stunned by your own haste.

🗣️ communication 🔒 secrets ⚖️✅ honesty

Blurt something out represented with emoji💨🗣️

This playful duo, 💨🗣️, functions as a delightful visual representation of the spontaneous urge to 'blurt something out.' It captures the fleeting nature of unspoken thoughts bursting forth without preamble, evoking a sense of immediate, uninhibited expression. Observe how the puff of air signals the sudden release, while the speech bubble echoes the inevitable utterance.

Examples

  • He didn't mean to startle her, but he blurted out the surprise news.
  • In her nervousness, she blurted out the wrong answer.
  • The little gnome, excited by the giant mushroom, blurted out a song about spaghetti.
  • When the fairy saw the shiny button, she blurted out a giggle that sounded like tiny bells.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'blurt something out' considered a formal or informal expression?

'Blurt something out' is an informal expression. It's typically used in casual conversation to describe an unplanned and often slightly embarrassing remark.

What's the opposite of 'blurt something out'?

The opposite of 'blurt something out' is to 'hold your tongue' or 'keep something to yourself'. These phrases describe the intentional act of withholding speech, contrasting with the sudden, involuntary nature of blurting.

Can you 'blurt something out' intentionally?

While the core meaning of 'blurt something out' implies a lack of conscious thought, one could technically decide to say something suddenly and impulsively, thus 'blurting' it out. However, the phrase most commonly refers to unintentional, ungoverned speech.

Does 'blurt something out' always imply negative consequences?

No, 'blurt something out' doesn't always have negative consequences, though it often does. Sometimes, blurting out a surprise or a piece of good news can be met with delight, even if the utterance was unplanned.

Similar to "blurt something out"

Let slip
Both phrases capture an unintentional revelation, but 'let slip' often suggests a more accidental or less potent disclosure, like a secret escaping rather than a whole thought tumbling out
Spill the beans
Both phrases mean to reveal information, but 'spill the beans' implies a deliberate, often gossipy or conspiratorial, unburdening of secrets, whereas 'blurt something out' is more about an uncontrolled, impulsive utterance
Shoot from the hip
Both relate to speaking without much thought, but 'shoot from the hip' highlights a readiness to speak impulsively, often with a bold or confrontational edge, while 'blurt something out' focuses purely on the sudden, unconsidered release of words

Opposite of "blurt something out"

Choose one's words carefully
This argues for deliberate, measured speech, the antithesis of blurting. It holds that words have weight and should be deployed with precision, a stark contrast to the spontaneous, often regrettable, eruption of thoughts
Hold one's tongue
This champions restraint and silence, advocating for the withholding of words rather than their sudden release. The tension lies in whether speaking brings relief or only trouble, a question 'blurt something out' rarely pauses to consider

Related to "blurt something out"

Say it on impulse
This phrase shares the core idea of spontaneous utterance, emphasizing the immediate, unthinking nature that underlies a blurted comment
Foot in mouth disease
This colorful idiom describes the recurring tendency to say embarrassing things, a state that often leads to one 'blurting something out' at precisely the wrong moment
Think before you speak
This is the direct advice one might receive, or neglect, when the impulse to 'blurt something out' strikes, framing it as a cautionary counterbalance
Hot mic moment
This term captures the infamous consequence of blurting something out when one mistakenly believes they are not being recorded or broadcast, turning an impulsive utterance into a public spectacle