Spill the beans
Meaning
To reveal a secret or confidential information, often unintentionally or prematurely.
Origin
In the early 20th century, especially in America, beans were often used in various informal games, competitions, or even secret society votes. Imagine a scenario where participants kept their scores or choices hidden by placing beans under cups, or where bets were secretly recorded with beans in a container. When the time came to reveal the outcome, someone might accidentally or intentionally "spill the beans," literally knocking over the container or cups and exposing all the hidden information before it was meant to be shared. This vivid image of sudden, accidental disclosure quickly became a popular metaphor for revealing any secret.
Examples
- We were planning a surprise party for Sarah, but her brother accidentally spilled the beans.
- Please don't spill the beans about our engagement until we've told our parents.