spill the beans

Idioms  

1. Disclose a secret or reveal something prematurely, as in You can count on little Carol to spill the beans about the surprise. In this colloquial expression, first recorded in 1919, spill means “divulge,” a usage dating from the 1500s.

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Example Sentences

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said the sausage made the trip with the team, but wouldn’t spill the beans on how the well-traveled piece of meat made it over the border into Canada.

From Seattle Times • May 10, 2024

But for now, find out all the backstage gossip from this year's stars - from Adam to Zara - as they took a break from rehearsals to spill the beans.

From BBC • Sep. 11, 2023

She knows where to gently squeeze to make Jerry spill the beans: “You’re going to have to tell me what’s going on. I’m too old to wait it out.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 15, 2022

If he can spill the beans for profit, they reckon, he can testify before Congress.

From Salon • Dec. 8, 2021

I’ll just have to hope Eddie’s parents don’t spill the beans on our late-night observation plans.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy