open season
Americannoun
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a specific season or time of year when it is legal to catch or hunt for fish or game protected at all other times by the law.
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a period of time in which a person or thing is exposed to criticism, attack, or recrimination.
Election year is open season on all incumbents.
noun
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a specified period of time in the year when it is legal to hunt or kill game or fish protected at other times by law
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(often foll by on) a time when criticism or mistreatment is common
open season on women employees
Etymology
Origin of open season
An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"We support open-source AI and the innovation it unlocks. But open source is not open season on American IP," Bessent said on social media.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
This, combined with his wooden speaking style, has resulted in open season for parties on Labour’s left and right.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026
“The real loser here is Intel, as it is now open season on all of its main product lines,” Windsor said, pointing to both its personal-computer and data-center chips.
From MarketWatch ● Feb. 18, 2026
But to get in during the open season of May 23 through Sept. 7, you’ll need tickets, which are available now.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 7, 2025
After all, if I asked too many questions, I could draw attention to the fact that I had no friends, and it’d be open season for nonstop teasing.
From "Monday's Not Coming" by Tiffany D. Jackson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
