B2idiominformalfoodIELTS-friendly
spill the beans
USUK
to tell people a secret, often by accident
Also used to ask someone to share news. The past is 'spilled' or, in British English, 'spilt'.
In context
We planned a surprise party for Lan, but her brother spilled the beans.
Come on, spill the beans! Who's your new boyfriend?
Common mistake
Incorrect: He spilled the bean about the party.
Correct: He spilled the beans about the party.
More idioms about food
- a bad appleone bad person who has a bad effect on the rest of a group
- a couch potatoa person who spends a lot of time sitting and watching TV instead of being active
- a different kettle of fisha completely different situation from the one just mentioned
- a finger in every pieinvolved in many different activities, often to get power
- a meal ticketa person or thing that someone uses as a source of money or support