open-and-shut
|o-pen-and-shut|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˈoʊpən ənd ʃʌt/
🇬🇧
/ˈəʊpən ənd ʃʌt/
clear and straightforward
Etymology
Etymology Information
'open-and-shut' originates from English, specifically the phrase 'open and shut case,' where 'open' meant 'clear' and 'shut' meant 'closed or resolved.'
Historical Evolution
'open-and-shut' evolved from the legal term 'open and shut case' used in the 19th century to describe cases that were easy to resolve.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'a case that is easy to resolve,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'simple and straightforward.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
simple and straightforward, with a clear outcome or solution.
The case was open-and-shut, with all evidence pointing to the suspect.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45