leave open

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leave (someone, something, or oneself) (wide) open to (something)

To make someone, something, or oneself vulnerable to something; to expose someone, something, or oneself to something undesirable or potentially harmful. These terms of service leave us wide open to lawsuits under the new EU regulation, so we'll need to update them right away. The judge agreed that the defendant's use of social media during the trial left him open to additional scrutiny by the prosecution. I know I left myself wide open to scorn when I made my decision, but I stand by what I did.
See also: leave, open, to

leave open

1. To intentionally keep a timeframe free or unscheduled. A noun or pronoun can be used between "leave" and "open." I'm leaving Friday night open in case Paulina wants to get dinner. I left open your birthday in case you wanted to do something special that day.
2. To cause one or oneself to be vulnerable or exposed. A noun or pronoun can be used between "leave" and "open." Sir, that position will leave us open to attack from the north. Don't tell Mom too much about your new boyfriend, unless you want to leave yourself open to a lot of personal questions.
3. To be inclined to hear or ponder something. A reflexive pronoun is used between "leave" and "open." These people are just trying to help you, so please leave yourself open to what they have to say.
See also: leave, open
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

leave something open

to leave a date or time unscheduled. I left something open on Friday, just in case we want to leave work early. Please leave an appointment open for Mrs. Wallace next week. She will be calling in to our office for an appointment.
See also: leave, open
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

leave open

1. Keep undecided or unscheduled, as in We don't know how much fabric will be needed; let's leave that open, or The doctor leaves Fridays open for consultation. This expression uses open in the sense of "undetermined," a usage dating from the mid-1500s.
2. leave oneself open. Remain vulnerable to; also, remain willing to consider. For example, Her actions left her open to widespread criticism, or I left myself open to further suggestions about how to proceed. Also see under lay open.
See also: leave, open
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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References in periodicals archive ?
"The last ten minutes we threw everything at them.We knew we were going to leave ourselves open at times which we did to a couple of counter attacks but we may as well lose 3-1 as 2-1.We had to have a go.
Second half was crumb of comfort
We kept going, there was always a chance that we would leave ourselves open and a little bit vulnerable because we were trying to force the game.
Keates: There's no defence for a terrible start
out injured is back "But this is a must win and we have to try to close the gap as much as we can - although we can't just go gung-ho and leave ourselves open at the back early on.
WIN OR TITLE DREAM DIES; BIG-MATCH PREVIEWSNicky knows it's last chance for Tangerines to catch Staggies
In a press release, CI Key Account director, Andy Buller, said, 'As customers we can blame the banks for issues and data breaches, but many of us leave ourselves open to issues by not changing passwords regularly and using the same password across all accounts.
Survey says Brits using more money because of bank outages
"We have to be positive going forward but also switched on so we don't leave ourselves open."" Gateshead are without cup-tied pair Ben Fox and Kieran Green and the suspended Rees Greenwood as they bid to reach Wembley for the second time in four years The winners will face either Brackley Town or Wealdstone in the final in May.
Wat a chance to get to Wembley for Heed; FA TROPHY
Why should we leave ourselves open to the bad decisions of huge organisations like Carillion?
PFI critic Sam was right about its flaws all along
"We'll be a different team on Tuesday but, at the same time, we don't want to leave ourselves open and go a goal down.
CLARK: WE HAVE TO BE CONFIDENT
"If we don't, we leave ourselves open to the allegation, albeit unfounded, that Cyprus remains a money-laundering hub."
Cyprus prepares to ban cash dealings over ,e1/410,000
But even more relevant is the book's insight into social media, its dangers and how much we all leave ourselves open online.
REVIEWS
We can enough leave ourselves open at would enough Gary "Any team is looking for both elements in the game aren't they," Rowett said.
Blues in need of FORWARD MOMENTUM
The present approach is to run every power station to death and so leave ourselves open to being blackmailed, in the way that EDF is prepared to build the new station only if the payment for electricity generated is at no less than twice the going rate.
Why self-financing works
"I've played in a lot of games like this and you leave ourselves open to that.
WAKE-UP CALL FOR MY SWANS - MONK; the premier league MANAGER'S VIEW Garry Monk (Swansea City)
"We will certainly want to win it and we hope to have possession but at the same time in trying to get goals we have to make sure we don't leave ourselves open at the back, because they are a danger there."
Jordan looking to keep up surge
"When I got involved in 1995 I knew we would leave ourselves open to criticism.
We blew chance to change game first time-don't it again; Says TONY HIGGINS
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