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
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
Lumet and a remarkable cast headed by Henry Fonda create high drama as jurors arguing a case that all but Fonda’s character sees as open-and-shut — leading him to dig in in an attempt to make everyone else see it his way.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 3 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
Everything comes to a head during a seemingly open-and-shut case of drug trafficking.
—James Marsh, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2025
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
Lumet and a remarkable cast headed by Henry Fonda create high drama as jurors arguing a case that all but Fonda’s character sees as open-and-shut — leading him to dig in in an attempt to make everyone else see it his way.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 3 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
Everything comes to a head during a seemingly open-and-shut case of drug trafficking.
—James Marsh, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for open-and-shut
Adjective
-
Upon seeing a photo of him, she was struck by their obvious physical resemblance.—
Carita Rizzo,
People.com,
17 May 2025
-
This told us how well heat was distributed across the cooking surface, where the pan would heat up fastest, and whether there were any obvious hot spots.—
Wilder Davies,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 May 2025
Adjective
-
On their way home to Melbourne, Cave claims their meal at a local pub was interrupted by an apparent interaction with Cage.—
Tyler Jenke,
Billboard,
9 May 2025
-
Despite some apparent limitations in the group, there’s a dual purpose to their playing time.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
Pony Bead Pumpkins Ideal for the autumnal season, this adorable and straightforward seasonal craft uses pipe cleaners and beads to create three-dimensional pumpkins perfect for displaying on the mantle or your Thanksgiving tablescape.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 May 2025
-
Because the path to parenthood isn't straightforward for everyone, workplaces can transform this journey through supportive policies.—
Cynthia McEwen,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
Indeed, her portraits are unmistakable: characterized by saturated backdrops, tactile surfaces, and a deep reverence for Nigerian studio photography traditions that elevate her sitters to mythic status.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
7 May 2025
-
There's no official announcement time during a conclave, but there is one unmistakable signal: white smoke.—
Dan Cody,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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Toxic takeover completed a few months before, the Glazer brothers — Joel, Avie and Bryan — were attending their first match at Old Trafford as owners of Manchester United and a new way of thinking was evident.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
11 May 2025
-
Acidity dominants, as with many 2024 Bordeaux wines, but complexity is evident in this light juice with fine flavors of young red fruit.—
Tom Mullen,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
Adjective
-
Taken together, the studies provide the clearest evidence yet that birds and mammals independently evolved brain regions for complex cognition.—
Yasemin Saplakoglu,
Wired News,
11 May 2025
-
Subtle but clear involuntary changes allowed for the patient to have their condition plotted on a scale – something that takes the onus away from less reliable self-reporting.—
Bronwyn Thompson,
New Atlas,
11 May 2025
Adjective
-
Joy Division is unique and distinct in their style and sound to be framed as a specific influence on many other artists and songwriters.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
5 May 2025
-
Finding the house was an enormous challenge for McBride and locations manager Kale Murphy; initial candidates weren’t distinct enough from the Gemstones’ other residences, and the search took so long McBride nearly called HBO to request a pause in production.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
5 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Open-and-shut.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open-and-shut. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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