open and shut
Beyond all doubt
Open and shut describes something easily settled or decided, with no room for doubt or argument: an open-and-shut case.
The phrase suggests a matter so clear it can be opened, examined, and closed immediately—no deliberation needed.
Almost always appears before a noun, especially *case*.
Ending all debate
- irrefutableImpossible to disprove
- undeniableImpossible to contradict
- incontrovertibleImpossible to deny
- unassailableImpossible to attack successfully
unquestionable · definitive · decisive · absolute · certain · watertight · airtight · bulletproof
Plainly evident, unmistakable
- straightforwardClear and uncomplicated
- evidentClearly perceived or understood
- apparentClearly seen or understood
- manifestClearly apparent or displayed
plain · blatant · conspicuous · unmistakable · transparent · patent · overt · glaring
Easy to understand
- straightforwardClear and uncomplicated
- basicFundamental in nature
- elementaryOf first principles
- effortlessRequiring no strain
manageable · easy · routine · formulaic · predictable · no-frills · clear · direct
conclusive
Ending all debate
- irrefutableImpossible to disprove
- undeniableImpossible to contradict
- incontrovertibleImpossible to deny
unassailable · unquestionable · definitive · decisive · absolute · certain · watertight · airtight · bulletproof · ironclad
clear-cut
Plainly evident, unmistakable
- straightforwardClear and uncomplicated
- evidentClearly perceived or understood
- apparentClearly seen or understood
manifest · plain · blatant · conspicuous · unmistakable · transparent · patent · overt · glaring · self-evident
uncomplicated
Easy to understand
- straightforwardClear and uncomplicated
- basicFundamental in nature
- elementaryOf first principles
effortless · manageable · easy · routine · formulaic · predictable · no-frills · clear · direct · unambiguous
verdict
Official court decision
- acquittalFormal clearing of charges
- convictionFirmly held belief
- guiltyResponsible for wrongdoing
innocent · judgment · evidence · prosecution · defense · plea · testimony · case · ruling · dismissal
- crime investigationdetective, whodunit, investigation, detectives, investigator
- oppositesopposite, opposites, antonym, antonyms, inverse
- Candor Phrasesto be honest, truth be told, honestly, frankly, to tell the truth
- expressions of simplicityeasy, simple, basic, plain, clear
- finisheddone, completed, finished, complete, ended
- legal termstrial, legal, appeal, lawsuit, law
open and shutambiguous
Having multiple interpretations
unclear · contested · debatable · disputable · questionable
open and shutcomplicated
Difficult to understand
complex · convoluted · intricate · thorny · knotty
open, shut, opening, opened, opens, shutter, opener, shutdown, shuts