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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for open-and-shut
Adjective
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The crony character of protectionism becomes obvious when examining the labyrinthine incoherence of U.S. trade policy.—
David B. McGarry,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2025
-
Find the right dog kennel site This may seem obvious, but good site selection can mean the difference between a single workday and an entire holiday weekend.—
Patrick Brady,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
As a result, the union met with Carr on Monday in apparent hopes that Carr, who has promised tight scrutiny of the merger, uses his muscle to achieve measures that protect workers.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Witkoff’s apparent favorability toward negotiations was cited by regional sources speaking to an Israeli newspaper as one reason Khamenei softened up and wrote back to Trump.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Although cannabis impairment detection is not as straightforward as with alcohol, police are still able to identify it.—
Tanya Mohn,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Playing net-front is not as straightforward as going to the front of the net and standing there.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
It had been stated before, that Starfleet ships in the 23rd century didn’t have holodecks, but suddenly here is one — that grid pattern is unmistakable — and the crew seems to be using it to solve a whodunnit, Christie-style.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
2 Apr. 2025
-
For over 20 years, her unmistakable voice has been the soundtrack to countless lives, blending gospel music a powerful message of faith.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Conrad’s commitment to sustainable practices is evident in its daily operations.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
-
That much was evident in the latest meeting as both sets of players gave everything to try to get one over the other in what has become a rivalry for the ages.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
The Athletic,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
With the data collected over the years, researchers were able to develop a clearer picture of the sharks’ movements and behavior patterns in the area.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
-
When playing indoors, clear glasses with anti-reflective coating are recommended.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The case is composed of four distinct elements: two lateral sections, a case back and a bezel.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Kim’s hands give us critical theories and histories of governing lines, all the while conjuring distinct Deaf lines.—
Mara Mills,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Open-and-shut.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open-and-shut. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.
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