leave open the possibility of (something/doing something)

to not prevent something from happening.

The spokesman left open the possibility of another meeting before the Israeli leader left Washington.

Usage notes: also used with that: His retirement leaves open the possibility that a new judge will be appointed this year.

followed by "of" in nearly 50% of cites, more than anything else; also exists as "hold/keep" open the possibility, but freq are 0.8/0.3 respectively--SL, 1/03

Related vocabulary: leave something open

• in heart of hearts
• in heaven's name
• in her infinite wisdom
• in her wisdom
• in high dudgeon
• in high gear
• in his infinite wisdom
• in his wisdom
• in hock
• in hopes of
• in hopes of doing something
• in hot pursuit
• in hot pursuit of
• in hot pursuit of someone
• in hot pursuit of something
• in hot water
• in hour of need
• in infinite wisdom
• in inverted commas
• in its infinite wisdom
• in its prime
• in its wisdom
• in jeopardy
• in jest
• in just a minute