Question:
Choose the most appropriate meaning of the idiom "spill the beans."
Choose the most appropriate meaning of the idiom "spill the beans."
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Be careful to avoid literal translations of idioms.
Options that describe physical activities involving the words in the idiom (such as 'waste food' for 'spill the beans') are almost always traps.
Options that describe physical activities involving the words in the idiom (such as 'waste food' for 'spill the beans') are almost always traps.
Updated On: Jun 8, 2026
- Waste food
- Reveal a secret
- Lose money
- Make a mistake
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Question:
This question aims to determine the correct figurative meaning of the common English idiom 'spill the beans'.
Idiomatic expressions cannot be interpreted literally; rather, they have established figurative meanings that must be memorized.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
• Understanding the Idiom: 'Spill the beans' is an informal idiom that means to disclose secret, confidential, or private information, often prematurely or unintentionally.
• Analyzing Option (A) - Waste food: This is a literal interpretation of dropping or discarding beans, which is incorrect since idioms function figuratively.
• Analyzing Option (B) - Reveal a secret: This represents the true idiomatic meaning, as it describes the act of making a secret known to others.
• Analyzing Option (C) - Lose money: There is no connection between spilling beans and financial loss, making this option incorrect.
• Analyzing Option (D) - Make a mistake: While dropping something can be described as a physical mistake, the specific idiomatic meaning refers strictly to information disclosure, not general errors.
• Conclusion: Based on the established usage of this idiom, 'Reveal a secret' is the correct meaning.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Therefore, the correct choice is option (B).
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