opening
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the opening of an envelope
Any event, celebration, or ceremony, no matter how trivial or unremarkable, that one attends purely for the sake of visibility. Often said in relation to celebrities or media personalities who make a point of attending anything that will give them more public exposure. In a bid to cultivate a media buzz around herself, the Internet sensation has been to the openings of films, book launches, and celebrity galas. With the way she carries on, she'd even go to the opening of an envelope!
open the door for
1. Literally, to open a door for another person. Open the door for me, will you? I have my hands full right now. Now that I'm on crutches, I really appreciate it when people open the door for me.
2. To create an opportunity for someone or something. Female professors like you really opened the door for future generations of women scholars. Recent advancements in technology really opened the door for my latest invention to gain widespread acceptance.
open fire
1. verb Literally, to fire or begin firing a gun (at someone). The troops opened fire as soon as they saw the militants exit the building.
2. verb By extension, to begin attacking, criticizing, or interrogating someone. The reporters opened fire on the commissioner with a barrage of intense questions.
3. noun A fire not contained by a fireplace or stove. There's nothing quite like roasting marshmallows over an open fire.
open the eyes of (someone)
To cause someone to see, realize, or understand the truth about a person or situation. The local painter has been trying to use his art to open the eyes of his fellow citizens to the injustices suffered by the homeless in the town.
open the way for (someone)
To allow or make it possible for someone to do something as a result of one's actions. This change in legislation will open the way for us to streamline our import services.
open (up) a can of worms
To initiate, instigate, or reveal a situation that is, will, or is likely to become very complicated, problematic, or have a negative outcome. I worry that trying to tweak the existing system could open up a can of worms that we're not anticipating. The candidate opened a can of worms when he made those inflammatory comments. Now the entire election has been dominated by the topic.
open (one's) mind (to something)
To be, or cause someone to be, receptive to or prepared to consider something, such as a topic, idea, opinion, perspective, etc. Being in college really helped open my mind to the huge myriad of beliefs and ideals to which different people around the world adhere. I know you're hesitant about seeing a psychic about this, but try opening your mind a bit—you might be pleasantly surprised!
open out on(to) something
To expand and lead to some larger area. The winding mountain road opened out on an overlook that provided a stunning view of the city below. Our back yard opens out onto an enormous forest.
open out
1. To expand, widen, or spread out. The small path in the underbrush finally began to open out so that we could walk comfortably next to each other. The box the game came in opens out into a full-sized poster.
2. To expand, widen, or spread out something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "open" and "out." She opened out the map to show me where the cabin was located. Would you open the stroller out for me? It feels stuck.
open fire
(on someone) Fig. to start (doing something, such as asking questions or criticizing). (Based on open fire on someone or something.) The reporters opened fire on the mayor. When the reporters opened fire, the mayor was smiling, but not for long.
open fire (on someone or something)
to begin shooting at someone or something. The troops opened fire on the enemy. The trainees opened fire on the target.
open something out
to unfold or expand something; to open and spread something out. When she opened the fan out, she saw it was made of plastic. The peacock opened out its tail feathers and delighted the children.
opening gambit
Fig. an opening movement, tactic, or statement which is made to secure a position that is to one's advantage. The rebel army's opening gambit was to bomb the city's business district. The prosecution's opening gambit was to call a witness who linked the defendant to the scene of the crime.
See also: opening
open fire
Begin a verbal attack, as in In her second letter to the editor she opened fire, saying the reporter had deliberately misquoted her . This idiom alludes to discharging a firearm. [Mid-1800s]
open ˈfire (on somebody/something)
start shooting (at somebody/something): The officer gave the order to open fire on the enemy. OPPOSITE: hold your fireopen out
v.
1. To become wider: The river opens out as it heads toward the bay.
2. To unfold or expand so that inner parts are displayed; spread out: The couch opened out into a bed.
3. To unfold or expand something; spread something out: I opened the couch out into a bed. Let's open out the model to see how it works.
4. open out on To be a passage or opening to some larger external space: After we remodel, the living room will open out on to the kitchen.
open fire
To begin firing a gun or guns.