spilled the beans

USAGE SUMMARY

"spill the beans" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to someone telling a secret or revealing something that had previously been kept secret. For example, "After I asked him about his salary, he finally spilled the beans and told me he makes over $100,000 a year!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

"One harvester spilled the beans".

The New Yorker

Point is, under washboarding I broke, then spilled the beans.

The New Yorker

Mr. Moley was so incensed he spilled the beans in his memoir.

The New York Times

Unable to lie, she spilled the beans, busting the whole sordid scheme wide open.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Murad, who feared Jews as much as he hated them, quickly spilled the beans.

The New York Times

At a media event in San Francisco on Tuesday, Apple finally spilled the beans.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

-He won the contest because someone had spilled the bean about the tricks.

BBC

Spill the beans, Paddy.

The Guardian - Sport

Spill the beans in an email.

The Guardian - Books

Someone needs to spill the beans.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It seemed a fine opportunity to spill the beans.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spilled the beans" when you want to convey that someone unintentionally or indiscreetly revealed a secret. For instance, "He accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party."

Common error

Avoid using "spilled the beans" in formal or serious contexts. It's an informal idiom, and more direct or professional language might be appropriate. For example, instead of saying "The whistleblower spilled the beans", say "The whistleblower disclosed the information."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "spilled the beans" is as a verb phrase functioning as the predicate of a sentence. It's an idiomatic expression used to describe the act of revealing a secret. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spilled the beans" is a very common and grammatically correct idiomatic phrase used to describe the act of revealing a secret or private information. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its primarily used in informal contexts, particularly in news and media. While it conveys a clear meaning, it's advisable to avoid it in formal or serious settings, opting for more direct and professional language. Alternatives include phrases like "revealed the secret" or "disclosed the information". Remember to use the expression appropriately to avoid any misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

revealed the secret

Focuses on the act of uncovering a secret.

disclosed the information

Highlights the act of making information known.

let the cat out of the bag

Uses a different idiom with the same core meaning.

blurted out the truth

Emphasizes the sudden and unplanned nature of the revelation.

divulged the details

Focuses on the revealing of specific information.

unveiled the mystery

Suggests a formal or deliberate revealing of something previously hidden.

came clean

Implies a confession or admission of guilt alongside the revelation.

made public

Highlights the act of information becoming widely known.

broke the silence

Suggests a reluctance to reveal the information previously.

gave away the ending

Specific to revealing the conclusion of a story or plan.

FAQs

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

You can use "spilled the beans" to describe the act of revealing a secret or confidential information. For example, "She "spilled the beans" about their engagement plans."

What's another way to say "spilled the beans"?

Alternatives to "spilled the beans" include "revealed the secret", "disclosed the information", or "let the cat out of the bag".

Is "spilled the beans" formal or informal?

"Spilled the beans" is considered an informal idiom. It is best used in casual conversation or writing, rather than in professional or academic contexts.

What does it mean to say someone "spilled the beans"?

To say someone "spilled the beans" means they revealed a secret or private information, often unintentionally. It implies the information was supposed to be kept confidential.