open-and-shut
adjective
1
: perfectly simple : obvious
2
: easily settled
an open-and-shut case of grand larceny
Synonyms
Examples of open-and-shut in a Sentence
an open-and-shut case of robbery
Recent Examples on the Web
Though the case seems open-and-shut to the lead detective (Bill Camp), the show initially aligns itself closely with the alleged perpetrator and his lawyer (John Turturro), only to raise troubling questions later.
—
Scott Tobias, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2024
Variations in the gene’s expression would have provided a simple, open-and-shut way to explain how the evolutionary screws on rattlesnake motor neurons are adjusted.
—Quanta Magazine, 11 Mar. 2024
Sounds like an open-and-shut case, but German director Ilker Çatak argues that the rules of integrity are as flimsy as the rules of surviving a horror flick.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024
Such a journalistic scoop ought to be an open-and-shut case: publish, expose, let the authorities take action.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 17 Feb. 2024
For their part, the authorities show an alarming lack of curiosity when presented with what seems like an open-and-shut case.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 6 Jan. 2024
Even the original moment was not an open-and-shut case.
—Mark Hlavacik, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2023
Even some of his sympathizers say that the documents case is open-and-shut.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 15 Sep. 2023
Having witnesses and establishing patterns of behavior can narrow the search for a murderer, but DNA could be the turning point between circumstantial evidence and an open-and-shut case.
—Popular Science, 2 Aug. 2023
Scott Tobias, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2024
Variations in the gene’s expression would have provided a simple, open-and-shut way to explain how the evolutionary screws on rattlesnake motor neurons are adjusted.
—Quanta Magazine, 11 Mar. 2024
Sounds like an open-and-shut case, but German director Ilker Çatak argues that the rules of integrity are as flimsy as the rules of surviving a horror flick.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024
Such a journalistic scoop ought to be an open-and-shut case: publish, expose, let the authorities take action.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 17 Feb. 2024
For their part, the authorities show an alarming lack of curiosity when presented with what seems like an open-and-shut case.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 6 Jan. 2024
Even the original moment was not an open-and-shut case.
—Mark Hlavacik, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2023
Even some of his sympathizers say that the documents case is open-and-shut.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 15 Sep. 2023
Having witnesses and establishing patterns of behavior can narrow the search for a murderer, but DNA could be the turning point between circumstantial evidence and an open-and-shut case.
—Popular Science, 2 Aug. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'open-and-shut.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near open-and-shut
Cite this Entry
“Open-and-shut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open-and-shut. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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