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
-
In its wildest moments, Coogler’s film seems like a collision of Lovecraft Country with True Blood, though more obvious comparisons will likely be drawn to From Dusk Till Dawn.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Entertainment Fans of the show on social media seem to be missing a lot of crucial character development, and there’s an obvious explanation why.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
10 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
-
The economic case for implementing those other policies is more straightforward than the case for tariffs.—
Alden Abbott,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
The more straightforward analysis, Allen and Parnes write, is that more time was not in Harris’ favor.—
David Catanese,
Sacbee.com,
7 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
-
How strongly consumers feel that online higher education should cost less than the in-person kind was evident in lawsuits brought against schools that continued to charge full tuition even after going remote during the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Jon Marcus,
NPR,
15 Mar. 2025
-
On top of the drama, the Kings front office and ownership has assembled a roster that lacks defense on the wings, evident by the struggles to defend the 3-point line, and a true point guard.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacramento Bee,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
With these women having formidable 400-meter performances, there was no clear sign of who would reign victorious.—
Katelyn Hutchison,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
-
The type of van — whether it was being used to transport passengers or cargo — wasn’t immediately clear.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
5 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 19 Apr. 2025.
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