From the verb spill meaning ‘to let out’, combined with beans as a colourful metaphor for revealing something; first recorded in the early 20th century, with spill used for ‘divulge’ since the 1500s.
From the verb spill meaning ‘to let out’, combined with beans as a colourful metaphor for revealing something; first recorded in the early 20th century, with spill used for ‘divulge’ since the 1500s.
What does spill the beans mean?
It means to reveal a secret or confidential information, often unintentionally.
Can I use spill the beans in formal writing?
It is informal, so it is best kept to casual conversation or informal texts.
Is spill the beans ever used literally?
No, using it to talk about actual beans being spilled is a mistake.
What is a synonym for spill the beans?
You can say let the cat out of the bag or blurt out the secret.
When did the idiom spill the beans first appear?
It was first recorded in the early 20th century, around 1919.
How do I form the past tense of spill the beans?
Use spilled the beans, as in She spilled the beans yesterday.
Can I say spill the beans about a future event?
Yes, you can say Don’t spill the beans about the surprise.
What is the opposite of spill the beans?
To keep secret or hold back information.
Does spill the beans work with plural subjects?
Yes, They spilled the beans is correct.
Why is it called spill the beans?
The phrase likely uses beans as a metaphor for something valuable that can be scattered, echoing the older sense of spill meaning ‘to disclose’.