(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
With a large catch radius (6-foot-4 with 34 ¼-inch arms) and dangerous ability in the open field, Johnson is a big-play threat who could blossom in a better offense.
—
Vic Tafur, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
Once the ship is in the open waters of the Atlantic, just one of the tugs will be needed to tow it slowly southward.
—Isabelle Taft, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
The past 24 hours has seen US President Donald Trump’s slow-burn, apparent dislike for his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, belch out into the open.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2025
There are pros and cons associated with both groups, with flight species being better able to avoid attack, but also having a harder time finding mates since they are dispersed in the open ocean.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for (out) in/into the open
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.
Vic Tafur, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
Once the ship is in the open waters of the Atlantic, just one of the tugs will be needed to tow it slowly southward.
—Isabelle Taft, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
The past 24 hours has seen US President Donald Trump’s slow-burn, apparent dislike for his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, belch out into the open.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2025
There are pros and cons associated with both groups, with flight species being better able to avoid attack, but also having a harder time finding mates since they are dispersed in the open ocean.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for (out) in/into the open
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 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share