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Spill the beans

Idiomatic Phrase
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

To reveal a secret or disclose confidential information, often inadvertently; in poetic idiom, it captures the loss of secrecy, the spillage of truth, or the consequences of unchecked speech.

Detailed Definition
Greek origin—possibly from voting with beans, spilled prematurely. In poetry, it depicts betrayal, confession, or accidental truth-telling. Dramatic monologues show speakers unable to contain secrets; satirists mock loose lips. The culinary image (beans = humble, scattered) implies messiness of revelation. Poets use it to explore consequences of transparency—freedom vs. fallout. Its colloquial energy suits narrative or humorous verse, where a single slip unravels carefully constructed facades, proving that some truths, once spilled, can’t be scooped back.
Example
Example in poetry:
Office gossip: “Janet spilled beans—merger announced before board approved”; Family secret: “Drunk uncle spilled beans—revealed adoption at Thanksgiving”; Whistleblower poem: “She spilled beans on corruption—lost job, gained conscience”; Accidental truth: “Toddler spilled beans—‘Mommy’s sad ’cause Daddy left’”.
Additional Notes
Greek origin—possibly from voting with beans, spilled prematurely. In poetry, it depicts betrayal, confession, or accidental truth-telling. Dramatic monologues show speakers unable to contain secrets; satirists mock loose lips. The culinary image (beans = humble, scattered) implies messiness of revelation. Educators can use it to explore consequences of transparency—freedom vs. fallout. Its colloquial energy suits narrative or humorous verse, where a single slip unravels carefully constructed facades, proving that some truths, once spilled, can’t be scooped back—highlighting the irreversible power of disclosure.
Also Known As
Let the cat out of the bag Reveal the secret Spill the tea
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