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
State and local leaders don't think the Panguitch Lake Dam is in imminent danger of breaking open but have told residents to be prepared to evacuate if conditions worsen.
—
CBS News, 11 Apr. 2024
Instant reaction to Oregon defeating South Carolina 87-73 in the first round of the NCAAs …
This was a stellar performance from the Ducks, who broke open a close game early in the second half and thumped the No. 6 seed in the Midwest region.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2024
The tiki torch top can break open and/or fall off while lit, posing a burn hazard.
—Neal Riley, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2024
The agency posted a notice Thursday saying the recall affects Berkley Jensen Citronella 72-inch tiki torches because the top can break open and call off while lit.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2024
An orthopedic doctor diagnosed the mom of four from Bozeman, Montana, with a herniated disk, which happens when the rubbery cushions between your spinal bones move out of place or break open.
—Ashley Abramson, SELF, 29 Feb. 2024
Soft wood breaks open, revealing beetles burrowing — too quick to count.
—Lori Vogt Rosone, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024
The security box where the agents had kept a key was broken open, and a new mailbox had been placed out front.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024
Half Moon Bay 61, Burlingame 43 Leading 30-25 at halftime, Half Moon Bay outscored Burlingame 23-8 in the third quarter to break open the nonleague game as the host Cougars upped their record to 10-2.
Delaney Dorwin scored 29 points to lead HMB.
—Darren Sabedra, The Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2024
CBS News, 11 Apr. 2024
Instant reaction to Oregon defeating South Carolina 87-73 in the first round of the NCAAs …
This was a stellar performance from the Ducks, who broke open a close game early in the second half and thumped the No. 6 seed in the Midwest region.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2024
The tiki torch top can break open and/or fall off while lit, posing a burn hazard.
—Neal Riley, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2024
The agency posted a notice Thursday saying the recall affects Berkley Jensen Citronella 72-inch tiki torches because the top can break open and call off while lit.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2024
An orthopedic doctor diagnosed the mom of four from Bozeman, Montana, with a herniated disk, which happens when the rubbery cushions between your spinal bones move out of place or break open.
—Ashley Abramson, SELF, 29 Feb. 2024
Soft wood breaks open, revealing beetles burrowing — too quick to count.
—Lori Vogt Rosone, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024
The security box where the agents had kept a key was broken open, and a new mailbox had been placed out front.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024
Half Moon Bay 61, Burlingame 43 Leading 30-25 at halftime, Half Moon Bay outscored Burlingame 23-8 in the third quarter to break open the nonleague game as the host Cougars upped their record to 10-2.
Delaney Dorwin scored 29 points to lead HMB.
—Darren Sabedra, The Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'break open.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Break open.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break%20open. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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