break open
The phrase "break open" is versatile, used both literally and figuratively to describe forceful or sudden opening.
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Definition
B1General
(common)To forcefully open something that is closed or sealed.
Example
- They had to break open the door to rescue the trapped dog.
B1General
(common)To cause something to split or burst, revealing its contents.
Example
- The heavy rain caused the ground to break open, revealing underground streams.
B2Figurative
(common)To make a breakthrough on a problem or mystery.
Example
- The detective managed to break open the case after finding a crucial clue.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "break open":
crack openopen upbreak coverbreak inbreak outbreak intobreak throughpen upcrack outbreak withbreak downbreak watercrack throughopen fanbust outpull apartopen the attackbreak awaybreak offbroken inopen wideopen sesamebreak the moldblow apartin the openbreak breadburst outbreak badword break