an open-and-shut case

an open-and-shut case

A legal case that is clear-cut or straightforward. With all the evidence against the defendant, I expect this to be an open-and-shut case. Isn't this an open-and-shut case? They found his fingerprints all over the crime scene! I know this seems like an open-and-shut case, but they've got a very crafty defense lawyer who should make things interesting.

See also: an, case

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

open-and-shut case

a simple and straightforward situation without complications. (Often said of criminal cases where the evidence is convincing.) The murder trial was an open-and-shut case. The defendant was caught with the murder weapon. Bob's death was an open-and-shut case of suicide. He left a suicide note.

See also: case

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

an ˌopen-and-shut ˈcase

(of a legal case, crime, etc.) so clear or simple that it can be dealt with or solved very easily and quickly: It’s an open-and-shut case. His fingerprints were on the gun and he can’t prove where he was that night.

See also: an, case

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017