English Explanatory Dictionary

spill the beans

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To reveal a secret; to disclose information.

Pronunciation

/ˌspɪl ðə ˈbiːnz/ En-au-spill the beans.ogg

Word forms

spill the beans spills the beans spilling the beans spilled the beans spilt the beans

Etymology

First attested in 20th century American English. One possible origin for the phrase is from an Ancient Greek practice of using different-coloured beans for voting, where spilling the jar containing them would unwantedly reveal the results, though this might be folk etymology.

Synonyms

let the cat out of the bag spill one's guts spill the tea
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