crack (something) wide open

crack (something) wide open

1. To break something open. A noun or pronoun can be used between "crack" and "open." The earthquake cracked the highway wide open.
2. To expose something scandalous or deceptive. A noun or pronoun can be used between "crack" and "open." That company's stock price plummeted after the media cracked the CEO's embezzlement scandal wide open. An anonymous tip to the police is what cracked the theft ring wide open.
See also: crack, open, wide
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • crack open
  • throw open
  • open the way for (one)
  • keep an eye open
  • burst open
  • crack a bottle open
  • open house
  • crack open a bottle
  • crack open a/the bottle
  • open sesame