Saturday, August 1, 2015

Is there an idiom that means "revealing a secret unintentionally"?


I am thinking there could be an idiom that states that you or someone revealed a secret unintentionally? Can you think of an idiom like that? I am looking for an idiom I can use to write a blog post about the recent incident where Secretary Pompeo unintentionally revealed the dirty secrets behind the CIA.



Answer



Let the cat out of the bag is the idiomatic answer to this.



Oxford (and google dictionary): Reveal a secret carelessly or by mistake.


Edit: It appears commentators dispute the 'unintentionality' of this phrase. Further definitions in support:


Dictionary.com: to divulge a secret, especially inadvertently or carelessly <- scroll down to idioms


Cambridge: to allow a secret to be known, usually without intending to


Collins: to disclose a secret, often by mistake


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