open sesame

alternative open, Sesame · alternative open, sesame · alternative open Sesame

1. open up (especially referring to doors)

plural open sesames · alternative open, Sesame · alternative open, sesame · alternative open Sesame

1. Any successful means of achieving a result, especially means that are magical or technical, or otherwise beyond the understanding of most people.

   He who can read a true book aright has an open sesame to audiences with the great and wise of all time.

   1905, John Ruskin, The Works of John Ruskin, page lv

   3 more examples

   "The blue topaz was bought by me, from the chieftain of the tribe to which Quacal belongs. It is an ‘open sesame’ to his favor."

   1899, William Wallace Cook, “Aquastor”, in Overland Monthly, page 15

   Relevancy not always an open sesame having in mind the over-all authority and discretion of the trial judge.

   1963, William J. Palmer, Trial Tactics in California, page 57

   When Mussolini was a young chap, he dabbled with socialism, imagining it to be an open sesame to a better society.

   2001 September 24, Gareth McLean, “Sympathy for a devil”, in The Guardian

1. alternativeAlternative form of open sesame.

   Knaves and thieves do not lightly enter the workshop, merely by crying “Open Sesame!”

   1943 October 22, Victor Odin, “Wind Tunnel”, in Keith Monroe, editor, Ryan Flying Reporter, volume 6, number 8, San Diego, Calif.: Ryan Aeronautical Company, page 22, column 2

   5 more examples

   The hinges of the hall door were so stiff during Miss Magan’s tenancy, that Dr. Fleming, who as a cousin once ventured to visit the moneyed recluse, had to call at a neighbouring chemist’s for sweet oil ere he felt safe in crying ‘Open Sesame.’

   1892, W[illiam] J[ohn] Fitzpatrick, Secret Service under Pitt, London: Longmans, Green, and Co. […], page 150

   Thus, one by one, the gates have been thrown open. God’s providence is manifest. “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord.” The fable of Aladdin before the cave, crying “Open Sesame!” has been realized; and by this circumstance a tremendous emphasis is put upon the great commission of the Master, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel.”

   1899, David James Burrell, “The Logic of Events”, in God and the People and Other Sermons, New York, N.Y.: Wilbur B. Ketcham […], pages 277–278

   To Don Ramón González the heavy oak door opened of its own accord, and without crying “Open Sesame!”

   1903, Paul Gwynne [pseudonym; Ernest Slater], The Pagan at the Shrine, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., page 147

   “You’ve lost your sense of direction—forgotten your geography! The Pyrenees lie south.” / “And I suppose you expect me to stand there in front of them crying ‘Open Sesame! Stand aside, crags and valleys! Here I come!’ ”

   1977, Devereaux Rochester, Full Moon to France, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Row, →ISBN, page 38

   The shrewd performer crying ‘Open Sesame’ as he rubs his magic lamp before the Aladdin’s cave of show business should be careful to take out an insurance policy in the event of the non-appearance of the Genie.

   1978, Harry Secombe, “Preface”, in Roger Wilmut, Tony Hancock ‘Artiste’: A Tony Hancock Companion, London: Eyre Methuen Ltd, →ISBN, page vii