let the cat out of the bag
英语
编辑词源
编辑(1700年代中期)与pig in a poke相对,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]
发音
编辑音讯(澳式): (档案)
动词
编辑let the cat out of the bag (第三人称单数简单现在时 lets the cat out of the bag,现在分词 letting the cat out of the bag,一般过去时及过去分词 let the cat out of the bag)
- (俗语) 露馅;泄露秘密;使秘密为人所知(多指不经意地)
- It was going to be a surprise party until someone let the cat out of the bag.
- 要不是有人泄露了秘密的话,这本来会是一个惊喜派对的。
- 1849, Currer Bell [笔名; 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.
- 他为人正派、端庄、真诚,而彼得却是跋扈、暴烈和——这最后的形容词,姑且从略,因为写出来会露馅的。[3]