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wide open

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wide open

 

1. as fast as possible; at full throttle. I was driving along wide open when I became aware of a flashing red light. It was wide open and still wouldn't do better than eighty. 2. [of a town or place] full of crime or corruption; vice-ridden. This town is wide open! Because the prison is understaffed, it is wide open.

See also: open, wide

wide open

not yet decided She's still in high school so her future is wide open. With only four points separating the top six teams, the championship is still wide open.

See also: open, wide

wide open

1. Unresolved, unsettled, as in The fate of that former colony is still wide open. [Mid-1900s]

2. Unprotected or vulnerable, as in That remark about immigrants left him wide open to hostile criticism. This expression originated in boxing, where it signifies being off one's guard and open to an opponent's punches. It began to be used more broadly about 1940. Also see leave open.

See also: open, wide

wide open

1. mod. as fast as possible; at full throttle. I was driving along wide open when I became aware of a flashing red light.

2. mod. vice-ridden. This town is wide open!

See also: open, wide