break open
phrasal verb
broke open; broken open; breaking open; breaks open
: to open or to cause (something) to open suddenly
The pods broke open and the seeds scattered on the wind.
The police broke open the door.
The burglars broke the locked safe open.
Examples of break open in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
An area of the plaque can break open, causing a blood clot and blocking the blood flow.
—
Yuliya Klochan, Health, 14 Apr. 2024
Prosecutors said the women took advantage of the chaos and entered the Capitol through an entrance where the doors had been broken open.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2024
Jones broke open the game with those nine points in 2½ minutes, turning a 32-19 halftime lead into a 43-23 laugher.
—Gregg Doyel, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Jan. 2024
State and local leaders don't think the Panguitch Lake Dam is in imminent danger of breaking open but have told residents to be prepared to evacuate if conditions worsen.
—CBS News, 11 Apr. 2024
Instant reaction to Oregon defeating South Carolina 87-73 in the first round of the NCAAs …
This was a stellar performance from the Ducks, who broke open a close game early in the second half and thumped the No. 6 seed in the Midwest region.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2024
The tiki torch top can break open and/or fall off while lit, posing a burn hazard.
—Neal Riley, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2024
The agency posted a notice Thursday saying the recall affects Berkley Jensen Citronella 72-inch tiki torches because the top can break open and call off while lit.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2024
An orthopedic doctor diagnosed the mom of four from Bozeman, Montana, with a herniated disk, which happens when the rubbery cushions between your spinal bones move out of place or break open.
—Ashley Abramson, SELF, 29 Feb. 2024
Yuliya Klochan, Health, 14 Apr. 2024
Prosecutors said the women took advantage of the chaos and entered the Capitol through an entrance where the doors had been broken open.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2024
Jones broke open the game with those nine points in 2½ minutes, turning a 32-19 halftime lead into a 43-23 laugher.
—Gregg Doyel, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Jan. 2024
State and local leaders don't think the Panguitch Lake Dam is in imminent danger of breaking open but have told residents to be prepared to evacuate if conditions worsen.
—CBS News, 11 Apr. 2024
Instant reaction to Oregon defeating South Carolina 87-73 in the first round of the NCAAs …
This was a stellar performance from the Ducks, who broke open a close game early in the second half and thumped the No. 6 seed in the Midwest region.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2024
The tiki torch top can break open and/or fall off while lit, posing a burn hazard.
—Neal Riley, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2024
The agency posted a notice Thursday saying the recall affects Berkley Jensen Citronella 72-inch tiki torches because the top can break open and call off while lit.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2024
An orthopedic doctor diagnosed the mom of four from Bozeman, Montana, with a herniated disk, which happens when the rubbery cushions between your spinal bones move out of place or break open.
—Ashley Abramson, SELF, 29 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'break open.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Break open.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break%20open. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.
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