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
In September, the wholesale chain issued a recall for its Kirkland Signature Prosecco Valdobbiadene due to the possibility of unopened prosecco bottles breaking open spontaneously.
—
Emily Rella, PEOPLE, 17 Nov. 2025
Nora resists, then breaks open mid-scene.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
Jamal Murray added 23 points for the Nuggets (8-2), who pulled away in the fourth quarter to break open a close game.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 12 Nov. 2025
Despite being sacked five times behind a patchwork offensive line, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert threw for 220 yards and connected with Ladd McConkey (four catches, 107 yards) on a touchdown to eventually break open a taut game with limited scoring for much of the night.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break open
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Emily Rella, PEOPLE, 17 Nov. 2025
Nora resists, then breaks open mid-scene.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
Jamal Murray added 23 points for the Nuggets (8-2), who pulled away in the fourth quarter to break open a close game.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 12 Nov. 2025
Despite being sacked five times behind a patchwork offensive line, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert threw for 220 yards and connected with Ladd McConkey (four catches, 107 yards) on a touchdown to eventually break open a taut game with limited scoring for much of the night.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break open
Cite this Entry
“Break open.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break%20open. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.
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