Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom in the given sentence.

The MD of the company let the cat out of the bag by telling her secretary, who got the much coveted promotion.

To allow a secret to be known, usually without intending to

The most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom "let the cat out of the bag" in the given sentence is to allow a secret to be known, usually without intending to.

This idiom means to reveal something that was supposed to be kept secret. It is often used to describe someone who makes a mistake and accidentally reveals a secret.

In the given sentence, the MD of the company accidentally revealed that her secretary was getting the promotion by telling her. This is an example of "letting the cat out of the bag."

The other options are incorrect:

• openly confess: This does not mean the same as "letting the cat out of the bag." Openly confessing means to admit something that you have done wrong.
• Creating a false story: This does not mean the same as "letting the cat out of the bag." Creating a false story means to make up something that is not true.
• secretly confide: This does not mean the same as "letting the cat out of the bag." Secretly confiding means to tell someone something that is supposed to be kept secret.