Question

Let the cat out of the bag To let the cat out of the bag means to give away a secret – usually without meaning to, or against someone else’s wishes. This saying comes from a trick played by traders at country fairs. Pig traders sometimes tried to fool customers by giving them a sack into which they had secretly put a cat – which was worth less money than a pig. If the cat got out, the trick was discovered! “It was meant to be a surprise party, but Harry let the cat out of the bag by asking what time it started.”

Accepted Answer

What do you mean? Why does it mean this? Example

Metaphor	Let the cat out of the bag
Question Meaning	What do you mean?
Meaning	To let the cat out of the bag means to give away a secret – usually without meaning to, or against someone else’s wishes.
Question Explanation	Why does it mean this?
Explanation	This saying comes from a trick played by traders at country fairs. Pig traders sometimes tried to fool customers by giving them a sack into which they had secretly put a cat – which was worth less money than a pig. If the cat got out, the trick was discovered!
Question Example	Example
Example	“It was meant to be a surprise party, but Harry let the cat out of the bag by asking what time it started.”

Cat Bag Trick Traders Means Give Secret Meaning