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Synonyms

out in the open

Idioms  

  1. Also, out into the open. In or into public view or knowledge, as in I wish he wouldn't talk behind our backs but bring his complaints out in the open, or It's important to bring the merger plans out into the open. This term uses open to mean “an unconcealed state.” [c. 1940]

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.

“A.I. humanization” is a growing profession, and for industries beyond academia, these words can be said out in the open.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026

A neighbour helped guide them and relatives through the floodwaters to higher ground, but they were out in the open, still struggling to survive.

From Barron's • Dec. 3, 2025

With the details of the plan out in the open, the White House faced a sudden crisis over the one-sided terms.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 25, 2025

Many residents are now sleeping out in the open and need tents, Matiullah adds.

From BBC • Sep. 1, 2025

At first it was worse in there than it had been out in the open desert, for there was a breathless stuffiness between the rocky walls and less moonlight.

From "The Horse and His Boy" by C.S. Lewis

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.