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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for open-and-shut
Adjective
-
With such a depleted draft stash, the Bucks don't have any obvious levers to pull to help bolster their supporting cast alongside Antetokounmpo and Lillard.—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Still, Strider was frustrated for obvious reasons and searching for answers.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
To a casual observer, the difference between o1 and o1-pro might not be immediately apparent, yet the performance gap in business tasks can be substantial.—
Andrew Filev,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
That was apparent during their weekend series at Progressive Field against the reigning American League Central champion Guardians.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
This should be straightforward and create as little of a mess as possible.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Opening a Swiss bank account is fairly straightforward but has to comply with strict U.S. disclosure laws.—
Robert Frank,
CNBC,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Immediate Action Required: The urgency is unmistakable.—
Sandy Carter,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
His speech contained an unmistakable warning for Bolsonaro.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The fact that Affleck and Lopez have been committed to staying close with each other’s kids has been evident since the early days of the divorce rumors.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Political representatives are sensitive to elections, as is evident in the close races in Florida on April 1.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The email should be approximately 250 words, maintain a confident but not technical tone, emphasize the business benefits rather than technical specifications, and include a clear call to action for scheduling a demo.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Read more: Steelers Could Close the Door on Aaron Rodgers, Land 134-Touchdown QB Instead Despite the clear interest between the two parties, Rodgers remains a free agent.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The title drop, when a line of dialogue references the film’s title, is a delicate art with a distinct cult following.—
Donald Liebenson,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2025
-
The Justice Department is considering a plan to merge the ATF and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), both of which often collaborate but have distinct missions.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Open-and-shut.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open-and-shut. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.
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