pry it open

USAGE SUMMARY

"pry it open" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the action of opening something with a tool such as a crowbar. For example, "We had to pry it open with a crowbar."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Ganz, not without some difficulty, managed to pry it open.

The New Yorker

His front door was stuck and his taxi driver helped him pry it open.

The New York Times

His front door was stuck shut, and his taxi driver helped him pry it open.

The New York Times

The scientists will now take the inner coffin to the University of Leicester where they will conduct tests to determine the safest way to pry it open.

The New York Times - Science

One of the women freed herself and closed the vault door, and held it shut as the men tried to pry it open.

The New York Times

When the helmet was tightly closed it created an air lock; Dali began to suffocate and would have died if Roland and a friend had not been able to pry it open with a billiard cue.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

They estimated that the gator was approximately 10 feet long, and Matthew said that it miraculously let go of his leg after he grabbed its mouth and pried it open to free himself -- his instinctual reaction, according to WAPT.

Huffington Post

Four or five men went about prying it open.

The New Yorker

Dr. Rhoa slit the cast and pried it open.

The New York Times - Health

The group pried it open with a crow bar.

The New York Times

"I sawed it apart with a hacksaw and pried it open with a pliers," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a physical action requiring force, "pry it open" is useful. For example, use it when describing opening a stuck door or a sealed container.

Common error

Avoid using "pry it open" metaphorically when a simpler term like "discover" or "reveal" would be more appropriate. Overusing it can make your writing sound awkward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pry it open" functions as a phrasal verb, describing the action of opening something using force, often with a tool. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

40%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "pry it open" is a versatile and commonly used expression that accurately describes the act of using force to open something. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. While primarily used to denote a physical action, it can also be employed metaphorically. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Wiki contexts. Remember to use it judiciously, favoring simpler terms when a more direct meaning is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

force it apart

Emphasizes the use of force to separate something.

wrench it open

Suggests a sudden, forceful twisting motion to open something.

lever it apart

Implies using leverage to separate or open something.

jimmy it open

Suggests using a tool like a jimmy bar to force something open.

crack it open

Describes breaking something to open it.

wedge it open

Implies using a wedge to keep something open or to force it open.

break it open

Focuses on the action of breaking something to gain access.

peel it open

Suggests removing a layer or covering to open something.

unseal it

Focuses on breaking a seal to open something.

uncover it

Emphasizes revealing something that was hidden or covered.

FAQs

How can I use "pry it open" in a sentence?

You can use "pry it open" to describe the action of using force, often with a tool, to open something that is sealed or stuck. For example: "He had to use a crowbar to pry it open."

What are some alternatives to "pry it open"?

Some alternatives include "force it open", "lever it open", or "jimmy it open". The best choice depends on the specific context and the tool being used.

Is it correct to use "pry open it" instead of "pry it open"?

No, the correct word order is "pry it open". "Pry" is a transitive verb that requires an object ("it") and an adverbial particle ("open"). In this construction, the pronoun "it" must come between the verb and the particle.

What's the difference between "pry it open" and "force it open"?

"Pry it open" implies using leverage or a tool to open something, while "force it open" suggests using brute strength. "Pry" often suggests more finesse or a specific technique.