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Spill the Beans

What Does "Spill the Beans" Mean?

homeidiomsSpill the Beans
"Spill the beans" is an English idiom. It means "to accidentally or purposefully reveal a secret or confidential information, often without the knowledge or consent of those involved."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "spill the beans" used in a sentence:
  • She didn't mean to spill the beans about the surprise party; it just slipped out.
  • He promised to keep the secret but eventually spilled the beans to his closest friend.
  • Someone at work spilled the beans about the upcoming layoffs.
meaning for spill the beans

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Spill the Beans" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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