leave (someone, something, or oneself) (wide) open to (something)
(redirected from leave ourselves open to)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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
leave yourself wide open to something
orleave yourself open to something
If you leave yourself wide open to an unpleasant reaction or consequence or leave yourself open to it, you do or say something that makes it more likely to happen. Of course by claiming to be perfect, you leave yourself wide open to criticism. When you call your team the Mighty Ducks, you leave yourself wide open to ridicule. If you speak, you leave yourself open to be misquoted. Note: You can use the verb lay instead of leave. He lays himself open to criticism by being so outspoken.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
- leave open
- leave yourself wide open to something
- leave (someone, something, or oneself) (wide) open for (something)
- leave oneself wide open for
- reproach (someone or something) with (something)
- reproach with
- sell (someone, something, or oneself) short
- sell somebody short
- sell someone short
- sell yourself short