the genie's out of the bottle
Alternative form of the genie is out of the bottle.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The secret is out and the genie's out of the bottle.”
“Once the company announced the merger to the press, the genie's out of the bottle and we cannot stop the rumors.”
“Now that the confidential documents have been leaked to the public, the genie's out of the bottle and the damage to the firm's reputation is irreversible.”
- 01
bottle away
To store up or stock up.
- 02
bottle up
To keep suppressed and hidden.
- 03
hit the bottle
To drink alcohol steadily and in excess, particularly in response to a setback.
- 04
lightning in a bottle
That which one seeks in attempting a difficult or challenging feat.
- 05
lose one's bottle
To lose courage and determination.
- 06
new wine in an old bottle
A significant change introduced to an entrenched system or method.
- 07
old wine in a new bottle
An existing concept or institution offered as though it were a new one.
- 08
pass the bottle of smoke
To acquiesce in some falsehood; to make pretence.
Last updated August 10, 2026