out with it

English

Phrase

out with it

1. Used to tell somebody to reveal a secret.
   • 1894, Kate Chopin, “In and Out of Old Natchitoches”, in Bayou Folk:

     “What’s your name, youngster? Out with it!” cried Laballière, striving to shake the little free mulatto into speech; but he stayed dumb as a mummy.

   • 1906, Edith Nesbit, The Railway Children, Chapter 4: The engine-burglar,

     "Come, out with it," said the Doctor.

     "It's rather hard, you see," said Bobbie, "to out with it; because of what Mother said."

   • 1928, Edgar Rice Burroughs, chapter VIII, in The Master Mind of Mars, ESCAPE:

     "Six years!" mused Gor Hajus. "Well, out with it, man. What do you want? If it is to slay Ras Thavas, no! He has saved me from utter destruction; but name me some other, preferably Vobis Kan, Jeddak of Toonol. Find me a blade and I will slay a hundred to regain life."

See also

• spit it out