In medieval times, dishonest shopkeepers would offer a pig or a rabbit for sale. When unsuspecting customers purchased one of the bags already tied, some found that it contained a cat instead of a pig or a rabbit. Smart people would open the bag in the store to be sure they were getting what they paid for. Those discovering the deception were wise to let the cat out of the bag. Though most idioms originated with a literal meaning, in time they came to adopt a figurative meaning whose underlying message became commonly understood.
Idiomatic expressions make language colorful and creative, and often add humor to a conversation.
In Idiom Inspiration teams will create and present an original humorous performance that includes four idioms. Three of the idioms will be selected from a list and one will be created by the team. The list is diverse and includes idioms from different cultures and countries. Two of the selected idioms will be acted out literally and figuratively. For example, literally letting a cat out of a bag and, figuratively, by unintentionally revealing a secret.