give the game away
Reveal the secret
To give the game away is to reveal something meant to be hidden—a secret, a surprise, or a deception.
The phrase suggests inadvertent disclosure: Her nervous glance gave the game away.
It implies that maintaining the secret was part of a strategy or plan, now compromised.
- betrayViolate a trust
- show your handReveal hidden intentions
- slip-upSmall unintended error
- let the cat out of the bagReveal a secret
- leakEscape through a breach
blab · blurt out · secret · glance · reveal · spill the beans · loose lips · slip of the tongue · squirm · surprise · disclose · tell all · telltale · confess · blush · admit · expose · twitch
give the game awaykeep mum
Remain silent intentionally
keep quiet · keep one's mouth shut · hold one's tongue · keep schtum · bite one's tongue
give the game awaykeep one's cards close to one's chest
Withhold information strategically
cover one's tracks · keep up appearances · bluff · play along · stay in character
give, gives, given, giving, giver, givers, game, games, gamed