Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц

[open sesame]{n. phr.}, {literary} Immediate means of entrance, or unobstructed access to something. •/Tom mistakenly believed that his wealth would be an open sesame to the world of creative arts./

[open shop]{n. phr.} A factory or firm that employs both union and non-union labor. •/The firm refuses to adopt an open shop policy./ Contrast: CLOSED SHOP.

[open the door]{v. phr.} To allow more action or discussion; give a chance. •/Learning to read and write opens the door to a better job and better living conditions./ •/Raising the tax rates will open the door to more help for older people./ Contrast: CLOSE THE DOOR. Compare: OPEN ITS DOORS.

[open the floodgates]{v. phr.} To let loose an outburst of human activity or emotion. •/It would open the floodgates of anger and discontent if the university raised tuition too soon./

[open up]{v.} 1. To show for the first time; make clear; reveal. •/The story of Helen Keller’s life opened up a whole new world to Mary./ •/Einstein’s theories opened up a whole new area for study./ 2. To make available; present an opportunity; offer. •/The building of the railroad opened up new lands to the pioneers./ •/John opened up a whole new section of the Scrabble board./ 3. {informal} To go faster. •/When they got out on the highway John opened up and drove at 65 miles per hour./ 4. {informal} To begin to shoot. •/When they got close to the enemy lines, they opened up with all they had./ 5. {informal} To begin to talk frankly. •/After John learned to trust Mr. Jones, he opened up and told him how he felt./ 6. To spread out. •/After a while the road opened up and they traveled more quickly./ 7. To become available. •/When she got her college diploma, many new jobs opened up./

[open up one’s eyes] See: OPEN ONE’S EYES.

[opinion] See: MATTER OP OPINION.

[opposite number]{n. phr.} A person occupying the same position as someone in a different group, organization, or country. •/The opposite number of the President of the United States in Germany is the Chancellor of the Federal Republic./

[opposite sex]{n. phr.} The sex different from the one being discussed or mentioned. •/Fred came out and said he was gay, having never had any interest in the opposite sex./

[optional origin]{n.} Stipulation in international commodities contract whereby the seller may ship from either his foreign or his domestic resources. •/Be sure to enter that in the books as an optional origin order./

[orbit] See: GO INTO ORBIT.

[order] See: APPLE-PIE-ORDER, CALL TO ORDER, IN ORDER, IN ORDER TO, IN SHORT ORDER, JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED, MADE TO ORDER, OUT OF ORDER, PUT ONE’S HOUSE IN ORDER or SET ONE’S HOUSE IN ORDER, SHORT ORDER COOK, TO ORDER, WALKING PAPERS or WALKING ORDERS.

[order about] or [around]{v. phr.} To dictate arrogantly to someone; domineer. •/Dan orders his younger colleagues around in a most unpleasant way./

[ordinary] See: OUT OF THE ORDINARY.