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
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
Running back is another open-and-shut case with the same projection from before camp.
—Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 9 Aug. 2024
Meanwhile, the case’s ambitious prosecutor Faith Killebrew (Toni Collette) has political aspirations riding on the trial, while the defendant’s attorney Eric Resnick (Chris Messina) tells her this is hardly an open-and-shut case.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2024
While everyone else sees an open-and-shut case, Justin’s life flashes before his eyes.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 28 Oct. 2024
The trial has developed from what initially seemed to investigators like an open-and-shut case into a reckoning with a criminal justice system the public no longer trusts.
—Aja Romano, Vox, 3 July 2024
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
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
Running back is another open-and-shut case with the same projection from before camp.
—Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 9 Aug. 2024
Meanwhile, the case’s ambitious prosecutor Faith Killebrew (Toni Collette) has political aspirations riding on the trial, while the defendant’s attorney Eric Resnick (Chris Messina) tells her this is hardly an open-and-shut case.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2024
While everyone else sees an open-and-shut case, Justin’s life flashes before his eyes.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 28 Oct. 2024
The trial has developed from what initially seemed to investigators like an open-and-shut case into a reckoning with a criminal justice system the public no longer trusts.
—Aja Romano, Vox, 3 July 2024
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for open-and-shut
Adjective
-
Trent Frederic is going to be a very popular guy if the Bruins decide to sell, but old friend Nico Sturm would be an obvious target if the answer above is yes. 23.—
Corey Masisak,
The Denver Post,
22 Feb. 2025
-
Doohan faces Colapinto questions There were two obvious topics facing Alpine drivers Jack Doohan and Pierre Gasly.—
Luke Smith,
The Athletic,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
That danger was apparent when formaldehyde in plywood used to build temporary trailer homes for victims of Hurricane Katrina sickened dozens of people.—
Hiroko Tabuchi,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2025
-
It’s been apparent in the last several years that the number of corporate CMOs is going down.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Yes, the story is straightforward, but the answers are not.—
David John Chávez,
The Mercury News,
19 Feb. 2025
-
The rationale is straightforward: since the administration has eliminated the CEQ regulations, and agency regulations were based on them, agencies should now align their procedures with the new CEQ framework.—
James Broughel,
Forbes,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The entire capsule collection features quirky touches evocative of Johnson’s idiosyncratic and unmistakable approach to fashion.—
Julia Teti,
WWD,
24 Feb. 2025
-
And so the passion that the Japanese fans have for the game of baseball (was unmistakable).—
Jayson Stark,
The Athletic,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
His impact is evident in the works of countless artists who cite him as a foundational inspiration.—
Shirley Halperin,
The Hollywood Reporter,
28 Feb. 2025
-
In fact, sensuality is its muse, which is evident in the aphrodisiac-esque notes.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The clear back lets the iPad's design come through, and while the display cover can fold into the same two viewing angles, covering the screen actually puts it to sleep here.—
Julian Chokkattu,
WIRED,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Too many people view the risks of illness from the vaccine as outweighing the risk of getting measles itself, and what’s abundantly clear now is that the risk of getting measles is increasing.—
Megha Satyanarayana,
Scientific American,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
This is classic mosaic evolution, where different parts of the anatomy evolve at distinct rates.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Resisting the label of fusion, Twitty describes the dish as an homage to flavors that highlights the intersections between distinct culinary traditions.—
Danielle Dorsey,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Open-and-shut.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open-and-shut. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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