Question

The new project was a secret, but Sarah let the cat out of the bag at the company lunch

• A. She brought her pet to lunch
• B. She revealed the secret
• C. She caused a commotion
• D. She told a joke

Answer 1

Answer:

B. She revealed the secret

Understanding the Idiom: 'Let the Cat Out of the Bag'

• The idiom 'let the cat out of the bag' means to reveal a secret or disclose confidential information, often unintentionally or carelessly.
• In the given context, Sarah 'let the cat out of the bag' implies she revealed the secret new project during the company lunch.

Origin and Etymology of the Idiom:

• This idiom is believed to have originated from a deceptive practice at old markets.
• Historically, unscrupulous vendors would sometimes try to sell a common, less valuable cat in a bag (a 'poke') instead of a valuable suckling pig or another desired animal.
• If the buyer opened the bag before the transaction was complete, the 'cat would be out of the bag,' exposing the deceit. Hence, it meant revealing a trick or a secret.
• Another theory suggests it might relate to the 'cat-o'-nine-tails' (a whip) being secretly stored in a bag and then revealed for punishment, though the market origin is more widely accepted for its connection to revealing a secret.

Relevance for Competitive Exams:

• Idioms and phrases like 'let the cat out of the bag' are frequently tested in competitive exams under sections like:
  • Idioms and Phrases: Candidates are asked to choose the correct meaning of a given idiom.
  • Sentence Completion / Cloze Test: Where the appropriate idiom needs to be filled in to complete the sentence meaningfully.
  • Error Detection: Sometimes, idioms might be used incorrectly, and candidates need to identify the error.
  • Para Jumbles / Sentence Rearrangement: Understanding the nuance of an idiom helps in correctly sequencing sentences.
• Understanding the literal meaning versus the figurative meaning of such phrases is crucial for scoring well in English language sections.