1
: perfectly simple : obvious
2
: easily settled
an open-and-shut case of grand larceny

Examples of open-and-shut in a Sentence

an open-and-shut case of robbery
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
From the outset, this seemed like an open-and-shut case. Gemma Allen, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025 Pricing and Value So far, it's been an open-and-shut case for Nvidia's GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB, right? PC Magazine, 22 June 2025 Even with the video secured, however, the case is far from open-and-shut legally: The thin blue line gets awfully blurred as Stéphanie runs into infuriating technicalities and roadblocks from higher-ups. Guy Lodge, Variety, 15 May 2025 That detracts from the open-and-shut case against the university. Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 11 May 2025 What looked like an open-and-shut victory for Natalia has suddenly become an impossible case. Barry Levitt, Time, 30 Apr. 2025 Newton’s candidacy should be an open-and-shut case. Joseph Person, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025 The jury deliberated for less than one hour per count to deliver its verdict, suggesting this was an open-and-shut case. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025 Newton’s candidacy should be an open-and-shut case. Joseph Person, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of open-and-shut was in 1841

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Open-and-shut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open-and-shut. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

open-and-shut

adjective
ˌōp-(ə-)nən-ˈshət
1
: perfectly plain : obvious
2
: easily settled
an open-and-shut case

More from Merriam-Webster on open-and-shut

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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