November 2011

ENGLISH IDIOM OF THE MONTH:
„Spill the beans“

 

MEANING

To tell someone a secret.

TRANSLATION

Ein Geheimnis ausplaudern
(wörtlich: „die Bohnen ausschütten“)

ORIGIN

This expression dates back to ancient Greece when people would vote for something by putting coloured beans into a jar secretly. When someone accidentally knocked the beans over everyone could see what was inside.