leave the door open

Related to leave the door open: keep the wolf from the door

leave the door open

To maintain or create the possibility of doing something or something happening in the future; to not prevent something from taking place at some point. We parted ways, but we left the door open for working together again sometime. The bill addresses several of our complaints, but as far as tax evasion by the largest corporations, it still leaves the door open.
See also: door, leave, open
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

leave the door open (for something)

Fig. to provide for the possibility that something might happen. I think that the matter is completely settled, although we have left the door open for one or two last-minute changes.
See also: door, leave, open
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

leave the door open

Allow for further action or discussion. For example, This will's terms leave the door open for fighting among the heirs. This metaphoric expression transfers the invitation implied by an open door to future events. Also see open the door to.
See also: door, leave, open
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

leave the ˈdoor open (for/on something)

make sure that there is still the possibility of doing something: The management were intelligent enough to leave the door open for further negotiations with the union.
See also: door, leave, open
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

leave the door open

To allow for the possibility of: Let's leave the door open for future stylistic changes.
See also: door, leave, open
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • a fast talker
  • (I) wouldn't (do something) if I were you
  • a/the feel of (something)
  • a straw will show which way the wind blows
  • (there's) no fear of (something)
  • a crack at (someone or something)
  • all right
  • (you) wanna make something of it?
  • all for the best
  • (you've) got to get up pretty early in the morning to (do something)
References in periodicals archive
Mendez did leave the door open just a bit, saying that there might be "slight adjustments if there is a need to do so, in accordance with the IMF."
Freeze on electricity rates?
While called "abstinence-only," the programs are in essence virginity-based and they pride themselves on not addressing the "graphic terms better left to parents to discuss." In doing so the programs leave the door open for teens to make unsafe sexual choices while operating under the belief that they are still virgins.
Virulent virqinity: "abstinence-only" sex ed programs are putting youth at risk
Available with wood or stainless steel paneling, this refrigerator has 574 liters of storage space and an alarm sounds if you leave the door open
Pipeline
Both companies yesterday denied any deal was in the pipeline, although Nippon did leave the door open for a buyout in the future.
Japanese glass bid denied
North Korean leader Kim Jong Il asked Japan on Tuesday to convey to the United States Pyongyang's willingness to leave the door open for dialogue, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said.
N. Korea's Kim asks Japan to convey dialogue message to U.S
As we enter a new century, remember that to "place your hope in the future" is to always leave the door open to opportunity.
Lessons Learned From Change
An insider told the Record: "We wanted to leave the door open for Ross if he wants to come back at some point.
I'VE COT TO GO; Tough guy Grant will quit the Square to find long-lost son
Ase tin porta anihti (Leave the Door Open), Vana Papathanasiou's latest novel, may be best described as a kind of fictional logbook wherein the author scrupulously records the interpersonal relationships and experiences of an Athenian bourgeois family, consisting of two parents and their four children Stefanos, Afroditi, Mihalis, and Dianna.
Ase tin porta anihti