crack open

present singular third person cracks open · participle present cracking open · participle past cracked open · past cracked open

1. informalTo open (a bottle, can, etc. of drink, especially alcoholic drink), especially in order to celebrate; also extended to other packaged items.

   crack open a cold one

   2 more examples

   Let's crack open a few beers and get the party started.

   After Christmas dinner we cracked open a box of chocolates.

2. informalTo start reading (a book).

   You better crack open that algebra textbook if you plan on passing your mid-term exam.

   Synonyms: crack a book

3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see crack, open.

   I cracked open the fossilised rock with a hammer.