leave the door open
Don't commit yet
To leave the door open is to preserve a possibility rather than foreclosing it: The contract leaves the door open for renegotiation.
Someone who leaves the door open to something remains receptive to it: She left the door open to returning someday.
The phrase implies deliberate ambiguity—neither committing nor refusing.
- ajarPartially open
- possibilityState of being achievable
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- adaptabilityAbility to adjust readily
- optionsAvailable courses of action
wiggle room · second-chance · compromise · uncertainty · noncommittal · back burner · second thoughts · reconciliation · olive branch · trust-building · communication · potential · freedom · mediation · threshold · cooperation · exploration · diplomacy
leave the door openclose the door
Seal the entryway
shut the door · burn bridges · burn one's bridges · paint oneself into a corner · cross the Rubicon
leave the door openburn bridges
End relationships irreparably
cut ties · wash one's hands of · make a clean break · draw a line in the sand · turn one's back on
leave the door opengo all in
Wager everything available
seal the deal · draw a line · close the book on · put one's foot down · sign on the dotted line
leave, leaves, leaving, leaver, door, doored, doorway, doorways, doorman