break open en · VERB
Meanings
-
(idiomatic) To make a breakthrough on a mystery or problem; to cause a breakthrough to be made.
I think I broke this case open.
The new evidence has broken this case open.
-
(ambitransitive) Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see break, open.
Lacking a corkscrew, he broke the bottle open.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| broken open | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| breaking open | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| broke open | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| breaks open | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic |