If you leave yourself wide open to an unpleasant reaction or consequence or leave yourself open to it, you do or say something that makes it more likely to happen. Of course by claiming to be perfect, you leave yourself wide open to criticism. When you call your team the Mighty Ducks, you leave yourself wide open to ridicule. If you speak, you leave yourself open to be misquoted. Note: You can use the verb lay instead of leave. He lays himself open to criticism by being so outspoken.