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

See Examples For:

spill the beans

Although “momentarily horrified by his candor” about that plot point, Cumberbatch proceeded to spill the beans about the ultra-secretive studio’s plans for the next phase of Marvel movies.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 22, 2025

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

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

From Salon ● Dec. 8, 2021

But before I can beg her to spill the beans, Justin rushes into the kitchen and pulls the turkey tea cozy off Mom’s head.

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan