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leave open

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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

leave something open

also leave open something

to keep something available I've left the evening of the 12th open, just in case you want to go out to dinner. We still have plenty of alternatives left open to us.

Related vocabulary: leave open the possibility of something/doing something

See also: leave, open

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