Let the Cat Out of the Bag——走漏風聲

** reveal a secret or important news without intention〈無意地揭露秘密或重要新聞〉; reveal facts previously hidden〈揭示以前隱藏的事實〉; reveal a conspiracy to its target〈揭露陰謀給其對象〉; reveal a plot twist of a movie or play〈揭示電影或戲劇的情節曲折〉

~~ 無意中洩秘；走漏風聲；洩漏天機；露了餡；說漏了嘴；露出馬腳；背叛秘密；揭露陰謀

~~ spill the beans; blow/take the lid off; give the game/show away; reveal a plot; reveal/disclose/divulge/babble/betray a secret; dish the dirt; let something slip; make known/public; bring to light; bring out to the open

!! This expression originated in the mid-1700s. It alludes to the dishonest practice of a merchant substituting a worthless cat for a valuable suckling pig. When the unfortunate buyer got home and opened the bag, the cat was revealed.

這種表達起源於十八世紀中期，暗指一個商人不誠實的做法，用一隻毫無價值的貓來替代一隻有價值的乳豬。當不幸的買家回到家並打開袋子時，那隻貓洩露秘密。

>> The business environment is becoming more and more competitive; many innovative companies are telling their employees to seal their lips and never let the cat out of the bag.

商業環境的競爭變得越來越激烈， 許多創新公司都告訴員工要守口如瓶，絕不能洩露秘密。

>> We were supposed to have a surprise announcement of this blockbuster book, but the cat was out of the bag when Jean overheard Bill talking about it on the phone.

我們本來應該驚喜地宣佈這本暢銷書，但當吉恩無意中聽到比爾在電話裡談論它時，走漏風聲。

學勤進修教育中心英語專科導師

李啟文 教授