Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

open-and-shut case

noun
Save Word

Definition of open-and-shut case

: a case open to no doubts as to the legal principles to be applied and the necessary result

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for open-and-shut case

so called from the fact that it may be closed as soon as opened

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about open-and-shut case

Statistics for open-and-shut case

Cite this Entry

“Open-and-shut case.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open-and-shut%20case. Accessed 29 January 2020.

Comments on open-and-shut case

What made you want to look up open-and-shut case? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

allege

Listen to the pronounciation of allege

to assert without proof or before proving

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

January 2020 Words of the Day Quiz

  • image1642096650
  • Which is a synonym of bonhomie?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Syn City

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games