Question

To "spill the beans" means to:

• A. Make a mess
• B. Reveal a secret
• C. Plant a garden
• D. Pay for a meal

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Reveal a secret

Understanding the Idiom 'To Spill the Beans'

• The idiom 'to spill the beans' literally means to reveal a secret or confidential information, often unintentionally or prematurely. It implies letting out information that was supposed to be kept private.
• This phrase is widely used in informal conversation and writing to describe the act of inadvertently disclosing sensitive details.

Origin and Etymology (Competitive Exam Focus)

• The exact origin of 'to spill the beans' is debated, but one popular theory links it to ancient Greek voting methods.
• It is believed that in ancient Greece, voters would cast their votes by placing beans into jars – a white bean for a 'yes' vote and a black or darker bean for a 'no' vote.
• If a jar containing the beans was accidentally overturned or 'spilled,' the votes would be revealed prematurely, thus exposing the results before they were meant to be public. This act would 'spill the beans' on the outcome.
• Another theory suggests its origin from fraternal organizations or clubs where members would use beans to cast ballots for new members. Spilling the beans would expose who voted for or against a candidate.
• The phrase became common in the early 20th century in the United States, appearing in print around 1900.

Synonyms and Related Idioms

• Understanding synonyms and similar idioms is crucial for competitive exams, as questions often test word associations.
• Synonyms: Divulge a secret, let the cat out of the bag, blab, leak information, disclose, give away a secret.
• Related Idioms: 'Let the cat out of the bag' is a very close synonym, also meaning to reveal a secret, often unintentionally.
• The idiom highlights the act of disclosure, particularly when the information was meant to be kept under wraps.