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
-
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
-
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
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
-
The economic case for implementing those other policies is more straightforward than the case for tariffs.—
Alden Abbott,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Getting to their stadium is mostly straightforward with the Gtech Community Stadium, which has a capacity of under 18,000 and opened in 2020, sitting at the side of Kew Bridge.—
Caoimhe O'Neill,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 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
-
Yet, no effort to thoughtfully manage Medicaid premiums is evident, particularly at a time when Congress has its eyes set on cutting this line item nationally, disproportionately impacting New York.—
Eric J. Gertler,
New York Daily News,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Chelsea provided six of England’s 11 starters (Hampton, Bronze, Bright, Niamh Charles, Keira Walsh and Lauren James), and those strong dynamics forged among players who train together every day are evident.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
5 Apr. 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
-
That was clear in Miami this week when Alonso belted a grand slam on Monday and a three-run homer on Wednesday.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
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 New Yorker received the National Magazine Award for photography, winning for images illustrating three very distinct stories.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
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 16 Apr. 2025.
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