leave the door open for

leave the door open for (something or doing something)

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 it still leaves the door open for tax evasion by the largest corporations.
See also: door, leave, open
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

leave the door open for

ensure that there is still an opportunity for something.
See also: door, leave, open
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
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
Guardiola still has one season left on his deal at the Allianz Arena and with the Germans denying that Carlo Ancelotti, Diego Simeone or Jurgen Klopp will be targeted, that could leave the door open for Pellegrini to continue at City.
That could leave the door open for AC Milan to move for Cech, who would command a fee of around PS7million with 18 months left on his contract.
I've got no one to argue with any more, I've got no one to shout at me, Will you close that door?Please Ann, will you leave the door open for me, so that one day I'll step through it.
"You have to leave the door open for anything that could be beneficial to the project, including selling it," he told the Post.
Should I leave the door open for him or just say goodbye?
Sweden's Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt has said the EU should leave the door open for treaty change but hinted that Germany should not push such a sweeping overhaul that it would force a referendum in any EU state.
11 (BNA) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT DMITRY MEDVEDEV SAID HIS COUNTRY HAD NO INTEREST IN THE INCREASE OF THE NUCLEAR CLUB MEMBERS AS SUCH A MATTER WOULD LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN FOR NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION.
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.
Both companies yesterday denied any deal was in the pipeline, although Nippon did leave the door open for a buyout in the future.
But at least the move to Cork will leave the door open for a possible return in the future."
Snow's statement did leave the door open for continued government support however, stating that the "Administration would accept an extension only if it includes a significant increase to $500 million of the event size that triggers coverage" as well as various other revisions.
EASTENDERS actor Tony Caunter, who plays car lot owner Roy Evans, is said to be upset that after he told bosses he was quitting, they decided to kill off his character rather than leave the door open for him to return for guest spots.
Kevin is right to leave the door open for Gascoigne."
Producer Matthew Robinson said: "We have told her to rest assured we will leave the door open for her return."