To get caught, to blow one’s cover, to be busted; to expose oneself, to mess up. A highly popular colloquial reflexive verb derived from палить (to burn/scorch). In modern slang, it means to accidentally reveal a secret, get caught doing something illicit, or compromise oneself. It can apply to both the person getting caught or the secret itself being exposed (мы вчера жёстко спалились перед преподом — “we got totally busted by the professor yesterday”; твой секрет спалился — “your secret is out”).
Оба на 11 рябчиков повязали!) А я-то думал у нас совсем шпионов не осталось)) ан нет — есть ещё кто-то! Как интересно спалились? Опять походу в шапках-ушанках по Монхетону расхаживали или спиртное по привычки в общественных местах распивали!)
They’ve both been arrested and are facing 11-year sentences. I thought our spy network was completely dismantled! Apparently not. How did they get caught? Were they wearing ushankas in Manhattan again or drinking in public like they’re back home?
(cementman @ ЖЖ, 06/2010)
