Spill the beans

USAGE SUMMARY

"Spill the beans" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when asking someone to reveal a secret or share information. Example: "After much persuasion, she finally decided to spill the beans about the surprise party." Alternative expressions include "let the cat out of the bag" and "reveal the truth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Spill the beans, Paddy.

The Guardian - Sport

Spill the beans in an email.

The Guardian - Books

Spill the beans below and consider yourself well on your way.

Huffington Post

Spill the beans!

WikiHow

I'd urge them to spill the beans.

The Guardian

Who knows why Rebecca decides to spill the beans?

The New York Times

Because you can't get a good book unless you're going to spill the beans, and I can't spill the beans … not for a long time".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We've decided to spill the beans on one of Hollywood's best-kept secrets.

The New York Times

During his cross-examination he was very keen to spill the beans about his political detractors.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Swiss bankers who spill the beans continue to do so at their peril.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The accompanying text read: "No need to 'spill the beans'.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spill the beans" to add a colorful and informal touch when you want to suggest revealing a secret, especially in casual conversations or writing.

Common error

Avoid using "spill the beans" in formal or professional settings where a more direct and neutral term like "disclose" or "reveal" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "spill the beans" is as a verb phrase, often used idiomatically. It serves to describe the action of revealing something secret or confidential. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

17%

Huffington Post

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Spill the beans" is a very common idiomatic verb phrase that means to reveal a secret. Ludwig's analysis confirms its informal usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct. When a more formal term is needed, alternatives such as "reveal the secret" or "disclose the information" may be more appropriate. Remember to reserve "spill the beans" for casual scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

let the cat out of the bag

Another idiom with very similar meaning, but carries a slightly different imagery.

reveal the secret

Focuses directly on the act of making a secret known, without the idiomatic flair.

divulge the details

Implies revealing specific pieces of information, often after some hesitation.

disclose the information

More formal and neutral, suitable for professional contexts.

uncover the truth

Suggests a more investigative or revelatory process.

make public

Emphasizes the act of bringing something private into the open.

break the silence

Highlights the ending of a period of secrecy or withholding information.

come clean

Implies admitting to something previously hidden, often with a sense of guilt.

give away the game

Suggests unintentionally revealing a plan or scheme.

blurt out

Implies a sudden, often unplanned, revelation.

FAQs

What does it mean to "spill the beans"?

To "spill the beans" means to reveal a secret or disclose information that was meant to be kept private. It's an idiom used to describe the act of telling something that was supposed to be a surprise or confidential.

How can I use "spill the beans" in a sentence?

You can use "spill the beans" when you want to ask someone to reveal a secret, or when you're talking about someone who revealed a secret. For example, "Come on, "spill the beans"! What's the surprise?" or "He accidentally "spilled the beans" about the party".

What can I say instead of "spill the beans"?

You can use alternatives like "reveal the secret", "disclose the information", or "let the cat out of the bag" depending on the context.

Is "spill the beans" formal or informal?

"Spill the beans" is an informal idiom. It's best used in casual conversations or writing, and should be avoided in formal or professional settings. In such settings, more neutral terms like "disclose" or "reveal" are more appropriate.