open the door to

open the door to (someone or something)

1. To literally open a door so as to allow someone to enter. The enigmatic factory owner finally opened the door to the five golden ticket winners.
2. To lead to the possibility of something happening. Many are hoping that this summit will open the door to peace talks for the war-torn region.
3. To create an opportunity for employment or advancement in one's career. Not all of us have a rich father who can open the door to companies around the world—some of us had to work to get where we are.
See also: door, open, to
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

open the door to someone

 
1. Lit. to permit someone to enter a room, building, etc. The butler opened the door to the guests and they all entered. I opened the door to Mr. Wilson.
2. to make a move or passage easier for a person. Ann opened the door to Fred, who wanted to start a new career in writing. Mark opened the door to her, and she was always grateful to him.
See also: door, open, to

open the door to something

Fig. to invite something to happen. The armistice opened the door to peace talks. The door was opened to further discussion.
See also: door, open, to
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

open the door to

Also, open doors. Create an opportunity for, as in Legalizing marijuana may open the door to all kinds of abuse, or Her statement opened the door to further discussion, or Dad's connections at the hospital have opened doors for Richard's colleagues at medical school . [Late 1600s]
See also: door, open, to
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.

open the door to

create an opportunity for.
1995 Kindred Spirit By recreating the space in which you live or work, Feng Shui can open the door to abundance, wellbeing and a Renewed Sense of Purpose!
See also: door, open, to
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

open the ˈdoor to/for somebody/something

provide somebody with the chance or opportunity to do something new, interesting, etc: Going to university opened the door to a whole new world for her.
See also: door, for, open, somebody, something, to
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
See also:
References in classic literature ?
"Oh, Rosa, if you don't open the door to me," Cornelius cried in his rage, "I shall force these bars, and kill everything I find in the prison."
View in context
The two maids took their passports and cash and left the Emirati woman on wheelchair in the house for some time before an ambulance staff arrived to treat her and called her sister to open the door to let them in.
Two maids absconded leaving special needs woman on wheelchair alone at home
'The Open Doors': I open the door to ravines of laughter.
Collected Poems 1965-2011
Dubai A public relations officer has been acquitted of threatening to drink the blood of a woman if she refused to open the door to her home for him.
Man cleared of threatening woman but fined for curse
Now officers are appealing to people never to open the door to strangers and to always ask for identification.
Police warn pensioners after distraction burglar strikes
Philadelphia hopes to see a significant increase in the number of students who place out of algebra in high school, which would open the door to higher level math and science in high school.
8th grade algebra: finding a formula for success: if your district is considering this trend, here's some advice on mathematics' good news/bad news situation
Before you open the door to anyone, remember, Lock, Stop, Chain, Check:
If in doubt, then keep them out
Yeung had pleaded not guilty, saying that he tried to open the door to avoid persecution from torturers.
Man who tried to open Cathay Pacific aircraft's cabin door found guilty
Next, I wanted to open the door to get at the other side to accurately fasten the opposite jamb.
In a real jamb
Police today repeated their warning not to open the door to unexpected callers or strangers.
Woman, 85, robbed by conmen
"The standards are tremendous," Princehouse said, "and they don't open the door to intelligent design."
Ohio Education Board strikes compromise on science. (Around The States)
QUESTION: It's been said that when you open the door to employee suggestions, you see improvements.
Voice of the Industry
By qualifying under this program an owner would open the door to qualifying for richer and deeper 421-a or J-51 benefits as may be applicable.
Action plan for Downtown owners offered
Officers are appealing to residents not to open the door to strangers, to always ask for identification and if they are still uncertain as to who the person is not to open the door at all.
OAPs warned over conmen
His proposed amendment seeks to add 69 words to the Constitution to secure the people's "right to acknowledge God." It ensures "the people's right to pray and to recognize their religious beliefs, heritage and traditions on public property, including schools." The measure would also open the door to public funding of religion by guaranteeing "equal access" to government benefits.
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