let the cat out of the bag
英語
编辑詞源
编辑(1700年代中期)與pig in a poke相對,如果一个不诚实的商人试图把猫当作猪来卖,而猫出来了或者被人从袋子里拿出来了,那么这个商人的秘密就被泄露了。[1][2]
發音
编辑音訊(澳式): (檔案)
動詞
编辑let the cat out of the bag (第三人稱單數簡單現在時 lets the cat out of the bag,現在分詞 letting the cat out of the bag,一般過去時及過去分詞 let the cat out of the bag)
- (俗語) 露餡;洩露秘密;使秘密爲人所知(多指不經意地)
- It was going to be a surprise party until someone let the cat out of the bag.
- 要不是有人洩露了秘密的話,这本來會是一个惊喜派对的。
- 1849, Currer Bell [筆名; Charlotte Brontë], Shirley. A Tale. […], 第 III 卷, London: Smith, Elder and Co., […], →OCLC:
- He proved himself as decent, decorous, and conscientious as Peter was rampant, boisterous, and — This last epithet I choose to suppress, because it would let the cat out of the bag.
- 他爲人正派、端莊、真誠,而彼得卻是跋扈、暴烈和——這最後的形容詞,姑且從略,因爲寫出來會露餡的。[3]