English · Greetings & Phrases
spill the beans
/spɪl ðə biːnz/
[/spɪl ðə biːnz/]
reveal a secret
Intermediatephrase
Definition
To reveal secret information, often accidentally or prematurely.
Example
Don't tell Sarah about the surprise party; she'll spill the beans before we've even decorated.
Don't tell Sarah about the surprise party; she'll spill the beans before we've even decorated.
Etymology
Possibly from ancient Greek voting with beans, where spilling them revealed the count early.
How & Where It’s Used
Informal and common for disclosing secrets.