The phrase "letting out bag" is commonly misspelled as "letting the cat out of the bag". The correct spelling refers to revealing a secret or disclosing something that was previously unknown. In IPA phonetic transcription, it would be spelled as "ˈlɛtɪŋ aʊt bæɡ". The word "letting" is pronounced with a short "e" sound followed by the "t" sound, while "out" is pronounced with a diphthong "aʊ". "Bag" is pronounced with a short "a" and a hard "g" sound.
"To let the cat out of the bag" is an idiomatic expression that means revealing a secret or disclosing confidential information, unintentionally or deliberately. The phrase refers to the act of disclosing something that was meant to be kept hidden or unknown to others. It suggests that someone has revealed a secret, often accidentally, resulting in surprise, disappointment, or an undesirable outcome.
The origin of this expression can be traced back to Medieval times, where it was common practice to bring a small pig to market enclosed in a bag. Some unscrupulous vendors would replace the pig with a cat, hoping to deceive potential buyers. If the cat accidentally escaped from the bag, the deceit would be exposed, and the true nature of the item for sale would be revealed. This metaphorical association is what led to the phrase "letting the cat out of the bag."
Today, the expression is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe situations where information has been disclosed that should have remained secret. It may be used to refer to unintentional slips of the tongue, accidental revelations, or deliberate acts of betrayal. Thus, "letting the cat out of the bag" signifies the exposure of hidden knowledge or the revelation of confidential details that were meant to remain unknown.