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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for open-and-shut
Adjective
-
But in terms of the excitement and electricity, the parallels between Verlander and Skubal are obvious.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
-
AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines told Newsweek the most obvious impact from the smoke would be hazy skies, which could contribute to visually beautiful sunrises and sunsets in the affected areas.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
Adjective
-
That license is currently set to expire on May 27, but sources indicate it may now be extended by 60 days — an apparent diplomatic concession aimed at easing tensions and fostering future cooperation.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
21 May 2025
-
Perhaps more than any other genre, the evolution of punk rock (both in Los Angeles and around the world) is never more apparent than in the age range of bands at music festivals.—
Josh Chesler,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2025
Adjective
-
Every detail is considered, down to the most straightforward dish on the menu and its namesake.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
26 May 2025
-
But unlike those diseases, there’s a fairly straightforward way to detect NPH and address some of its most debilitating symptoms.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
Beyond the physical abuse, Cassie endured a steady drumbeat of insidious threats that sent an unmistakable message: the violence could escalate at any moment.—
Lauren Hersh,
New York Daily News,
21 May 2025
-
The unmistakable message: in Welch’s House of Representatives, Democratic moderates who think for themselves and question their own party’s orthodoxies are unwelcome.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
The effect was evident in women, but not statistically significant in men.—
Carla K. Johnson,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2025
-
And the sense of community that this helps to build will, of course, be evident when those enthusiastic readers meet each other and some of their literary heroes next month.—
Roger Trapp,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
However the trade war ends, the message from American industry is clear: there can be no going back to the pre-Trump U.S.-China economic relationship.—
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 May 2025
-
Just clear structure, early accountability and transparent expectations.—
Ryan Hohman,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
Within such simulations, there will be three distinct participant groups: 1.—
Ivan Shvaichenko,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
There is a distinct difference between the two eras.—
Ralph D. Russo,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Open-and-shut.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open-and-shut. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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