open the schools
Expressing that someone is wrong or misinformed, especially where something should be widely understood (e.g. learned in school) but is not.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“You think the earth is flat? Open the schools.”
“You believe that clouds are made of cotton? Open the schools.”
“He thinks that whales are a type of fish; please open the schools.”
“When he argued that the sun revolves around the earth, his friend sighed and told him to open the schools.”
“If you really believe that humans don't need water to survive, we seriously need to open the schools for you.”
“She claimed that every country in the world uses the same currency, making everyone in the room shout to open the schools.”
“After hearing the politician claim that basic economics works in reverse, the frustrated professor muttered that it was time to open the schools.”
Originally referred to the COVID-19 lockdowns and their negative effect on education. Popularized widely by a Twitter post by then-US president Donald Trump, use as internet slang remaining after the end of lockdowns.
- 01
keep a weather eye open
to maintain a background awareness of something; to remain alert to changes without it occupying one's full attention.
- 02
keep an eye open
To remain vigilant for someone or something.
- 03
keep one's ears open
to listen for important information.
- 04
keep one's options open
To not commit to a decision, to keep various options available.
- 05
kick at an open door
To carry out a redundant activity.
- 06
leave the door open
To maintain the possibility of something happening in the future.
- 07
new school
A style, way of thinking, or method for accomplishing a task that is typical of the current era, as opposed to former eras.
- 08
old school
Preceded by the: a group of people characterized by being conservative or traditional; also, a method for accomplishing a task, a style, or a way of thinking that was employed in a former era, remembered either for its inferiority to the current method, or for its superiority over the new way.
Last updated August 10, 2026