# open the schools

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/open-the-schools
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Expressing that someone is wrong or misinformed, especially where something should be widely understood (e.g. learned in school) but is not.

## Examples

- 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.

## Origin

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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.