gape open

USAGE SUMMARY

"gape open" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to open widely or to be wide open. An example sentence could be: "The little girl's mouth gaped open in surprise as she saw the magician pull the rabbit out of his hat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Your pores just gape open.

The New Yorker

Windows gape open on gutted colonial homes.

The Guardian

the edges of a cut gape open — that usually means stitches are needed.

Harvard University

Dead mussels will gape open, and won't respond if you knock their shells together or try to squeeze them closed.

The New York Times - Food

There it was — as a knee-skimming snood or as the basic shape of an asymmetrical dress, left to gape open at the sides.

The New York Times

Garrick himself wrote a new ending to Macbeth, in which the hero expressed remorse as the gates of hell gape open.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Females do not have hemipenes and all that appears is two pink dots as the opening to the scent gland gapes open slightly.

WikiHow

The street level has only gaping open spaces where there were once floor-to-ceiling windows.

The New York Times

My mouth was gaped open with awe when I heard the mindset of three children.

The New York Times

Again and again, the maw of violence, of harm, gapes open.

The New York Times - Books

He also referred to the apron effect that left gaping open backs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gape open" to vividly describe something that is unexpectedly or unusually wide open, conveying a sense of surprise or vulnerability. For example, "The wound gaped open, revealing the bone beneath."

Common error

While "gape open" is acceptable in many writing scenarios, it can sound overly dramatic or informal in scientific or business documents. Consider more neutral alternatives like "remain open" or "be ajar" in these cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gape open" functions as a descriptive expression. It commonly modifies nouns, providing a vivid image of something being unexpectedly or unusually wide open. As Ludwig AI illustrates, it can describe physical openings like "windows" or metaphorical ones like "divides".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gape open" is a grammatically correct descriptive expression used to vividly portray something that is unexpectedly or unusually wide open. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While its frequency is uncommon, it appears most often in news and media contexts. The phrase conveys surprise, shock, or vulnerability and aims to create a strong visual impact. When writing, use "gape open" to describe physical or metaphorical openings, but be mindful of its potential for sounding overly dramatic in more formal contexts. Related phrases include "open wide", "ajar" and "wide open", offering alternative ways to express the concept of being wide open.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

open wide

Focuses on the extent of the opening, emphasizing a large or full opening.

wide open

Highlights the openness without necessarily implying a forceful or surprised action.

agape

Describes a state of being wide open, often in surprise or wonder.

ajar

Describes a state of being slightly open, offering a less dramatic image than "gape open".

be ajar

Similar to "ajar", but uses a verb to describe the state of being slightly open.

stand open

Implies that something remains open, perhaps against expectations or by default.

yawn open

Conveys a sense of a large, almost cavernous opening.

parted

Suggests a separation or division, resulting in an opening.

unsealed

Highlights the lack of a seal, implying an unintended or unexpected opening.

unclosed

Simply denotes that something is not closed, without specifying the degree of openness.

FAQs

How can I use "gape open" in a sentence?

You can use "gape open" to describe something that is wide open, especially in a surprising or unnatural way. For example, "The door to the abandoned house gaped open, inviting trespassers" or "Her mouth gaped open in astonishment".

What does "gape open" mean?

"Gape open" means to be wide open, often suggesting a sense of surprise, shock, or vulnerability. It implies a larger or more unexpected opening than simply being open.

What are some synonyms for "gape open"?

Alternatives to "gape open" include "open wide", "ajar", "wide open", or "stand open", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something "gaped open"?

Yes, "gaped open" is the past tense of "gape open" and is grammatically correct. For example, "The wound gaped open after she tripped".