as in obvious
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation
an open-and-shut case of robbery
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Recent Examples of open-and-shut
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for open-and-shut
Adjective
-
And then there are the descriptions of the additional terms, which may not be obvious.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
But a sharp turn straight into country seems like far too obvious a path for a singer-songwriter who has quietly done her own thing.—
Julyssa Lopez,
Rolling Stone,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
The apparent docking of the two satellites last week suggests SJ-21 is the target for SJ-25's refueling demonstration, and US officials are watching.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
8 July 2025
-
The disconnect is apparent: students want to build careers around emerging technology, but traditional education isn’t teaching them how.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
Trent Sherfield Starting point: This group looks from here like a pretty straightforward set.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
13 July 2025
-
Textor’s relationship with Palace has been far from straightforward over his four-year involvement.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
So now, many Mexicans and Mexican Americans are choosing to be seen in the loudest, most unmistakable way: by wearing their culture on their sleeves—literally.—
Daisy Maldonado,
Vogue,
8 July 2025
-
The display of might outside was unmistakable, as was the soft power inside the building.—
Andrew J. Campa
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
6 July 2025
Adjective
-
In a sense, that was evident a week ago, when the Hornets’ rookie class inked their respective contracts.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
10 July 2025
-
The club’s communication has not helped, though noticeable strides in transparency have been evident since the saga of Alvarez’s undiagnosed hand fracture.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
For investors, developers, and tenants, the message is clear: The forthcoming shakeout from America’s return to office will create distinct winners and losers, with the South leading the way into recovery.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
10 July 2025
-
He’s been clear in his frustration about the team’s struggle for form this year, long brushing off thoughts of retaining his world title.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Consider Stapleton International Airport’s reincarnation as Denver’s Central Park neighborhood, or suburban Chicago’s Glenview Naval Air Station’s rebirth as The Glen, a live-dine-play-shop community featuring 2,000 homes in eight distinct enclaves.—
Jeffrey Steele,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
Today, over 3 in 5 cannabis consumers are aware of terpenes: organic compounds present in plants, fungi and cannabis, and are responsible for distinct scents, flavors and therapeutic effects.—
Peter Su,
Rolling Stone,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Open-and-shut.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open-and-shut. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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