ENGLISH
REFERENCE

open season

idiom
Meaning

A situation or period in which some activity is routinely carried on.


Examples
SIMPLE

Once the boss left, it was open season for office gossip.

CONTEXTUAL

When the company announced the budget cuts, it became open season for rumors about who would lose their job.

COMPLEX

Following the publication of the controversial report, it was open season for critics to attack the administration's policies from every possible angle.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    close season

    A situation or period in which some activity is forbidden or discontinued.

  2. 02

    gooseberry season

    A period, usually during the summertime, when news media tend to place increased emphasis on reporting light-hearted, offbeat, or bizarre stories.

  3. 03

    keep a weather eye open

    to maintain a background awareness of something; to remain alert to changes without it occupying one's full attention.

  4. 04

    keep an eye open

    To remain vigilant for someone or something.

  5. 05

    keep one's ears open

    to listen for important information.

  6. 06

    keep one's options open

    To not commit to a decision, to keep various options available.

  7. 07

    kick at an open door

    To carry out a redundant activity.

  8. 08

    leave the door open

    To maintain the possibility of something happening in the future.

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