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
Gronowski often is too hesitant when receivers break open.
—
Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
When proteins are modified, the glow provides a visual signal, letting researchers monitor biological activity without breaking open cells or adding disruptive chemicals.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
French police say the robbers entered the Louvre’s first floor using the Böcker lift, broke open two display cases with a power grinder, and escaped on scooters within ten minutes.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Head coach Mike Vrabel noted this might not be the best week for Maye to navigate the pocket and bide his time for receivers to break open against the Browns’ secondary, since their pass rush, led by defensive end Myles Garrett, is so ferocious.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break open
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Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
When proteins are modified, the glow provides a visual signal, letting researchers monitor biological activity without breaking open cells or adding disruptive chemicals.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
French police say the robbers entered the Louvre’s first floor using the Böcker lift, broke open two display cases with a power grinder, and escaped on scooters within ten minutes.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Head coach Mike Vrabel noted this might not be the best week for Maye to navigate the pocket and bide his time for receivers to break open against the Browns’ secondary, since their pass rush, led by defensive end Myles Garrett, is so ferocious.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 24 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 2025.
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