open sesame
LowInformal
Definition
Meaning
A magical command that causes a sealed or hidden entrance to open.
A phrase, action, or means of access that quickly and effortlessly achieves a desired result or grants entry to something previously inaccessible.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as an allusion to the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. The phrase functions as a metaphor for a quick or magical solution, often with a slightly humorous or ironic tone. It is a fixed expression, not a literal imperative phrase.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in both dialects; the reference is universally understood from the same story.
Connotations
The phrase retains its folk-tale, slightly fantastical connotation in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects. More common in written than spoken language.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
'open sesame' to + NOUN (e.g., to success, to the club)function as an open sesameuttered the words 'open sesame'Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “like magic”
- “the key to the kingdom”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"Knowing the CEO's golf partner was the open sesame to securing the contract."
Academic
Rare. Might be used in literary criticism to discuss motifs of access and magic in folklore.
Everyday
"I hope this referral letter will be an open sesame to the exclusive members' club."
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Not used as a verb.
American English
- Not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not used as an adjective.
American English
- Not used as an adjective.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- In the story, Ali Baba says 'Open Sesame' to open the cave.
- For him, a friendly smile was an open sesame to people's hearts.
- The internship served as an open sesame to a career in the competitive film industry.
- The whistleblower's testimony proved to be the open sesame that unlocked the complex corruption scandal.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember Ali Baba and his 'Open Sesame!' command to open the cave. Think of a sesame seed bun being opened to reveal the burger inside—your secret to a satisfying meal.
Conceptual Metaphor
WORDS ARE KEYS / SOLUTIONS ARE MAGIC.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid a direct word-for-word translation ('открытый кунжут'), which is nonsensical in Russian. The established literary translation is the calque phrase 'Сезам, откройся!'
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a literal command (e.g., 'He open sesamed the door').
- Writing it as 'open says me' or other phonetic misspellings.
- Using it without the definite article 'an' when it functions as a noun (e.g., 'It was open sesame').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary origin of the phrase 'open sesame'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a fixed noun phrase. It cannot be conjugated as a verb (e.g., 'he open sesames' is incorrect).
It is always spelled as two separate words: 'open sesame'.
No, it is a low-frequency, literary allusion. It is understood but used for specific metaphorical effect, often humorously.
Use 'an', as the word 'open' begins with a vowel sound: 'an open sesame'.