(out) in/into the open

idiom

1
: in or to an area or place that is not covered or enclosed
We slept out in the open with nothing above us but the stars.
A deer walked out into the open.
food left out in the open
2
: in or into a situation in which something (such as a feeling) is no longer hidden or kept secret
Her true feelings were finally out in the open.
He rarely fought his political battles in the open.
Let's get everything out into the open. You've been lying to me, haven't you?

Examples of (out) in/into the open in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Shark cages are not permitted for swimmers in the open water. Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 18 July 2025 As monsoon storms draw wildlife into the open, desert tortoises may start moving around. John Leos, AZCentral.com, 18 July 2025 All of the under-the-table deals are out in the open, generally speaking, and folks are upset. Troy Renck, Denver Post, 18 July 2025 Perhaps ‘shadow text’ isn’t quite right—the words are out in the open. Book Marks july 17, Literary Hub, 17 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for (out) in/into the open

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Cite this Entry

“(out) in/into the open.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/%28out%29%20in%2Finto%20the%20open. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

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