Ways to Open Things: Actions and Methods

1. General Opening Open – General term for making something accessible Unlock – Open something that was locked (e.g., a door, phone) Unfasten – Open something with a clasp, button, or strap Unbolt – Remove a bolt to open Unlatch – Open by lifting or removing a latch --- 2. Removing a Cover or Seal Unseal – Remove a seal (e.g., an envelope) Unwrap – Remove wrapping (e.g., a gift, candy) Unzip – Open using a zipper Unbutton – Open by undoing buttons Uncap – Remove a cap (e.g., a bottle, pen) Unscrew – Twist to remove (e.g., a bottle cap, lightbulb) Uncork – Remove a cork (e.g., a wine bottle) Seal open – Break a sealed package or container (e.g., a new water bottle) Bust into – Forcefully open something (e.g., prying open a tightly closed box) --- 3. Pulling or Peeling Away Peel off – Remove a thin layer (e.g., fruit skin, sticker) Strip – Remove layers (e.g., wallpaper, paint) Tear off – Pull apart forcefully (e.g., paper, packaging) Rip open – Open quickly and forcefully (e.g., a package) Scratch off – Remove by scratching (e.g., a lottery ticket) Peel off the lid – Remove a lid by peeling it (e.g., taking off the foil from a yogurt cup) --- 4. Twisting or Rotating Twist off – Open by twisting (e.g., a bottle cap) Unscrew – Twist to loosen or remove Loosen – Reduce tightness to open something gradually Twist open – Open a container by twisting (e.g., a juice bottle or medicine bottle) --- 5. Prying or Lifting Pry open – Force something open (e.g., a lid, door) Lift – Raise to open (e.g., a lid, a trapdoor) Flip open – Open by flipping (e.g., a ketchup lid, a plastic container) Flip up – Lift the lid upwards to open Pop open – Open suddenly with a pop (e.g., a can, champagne bottle) Pop open the container – Open a container with a popping motion (e.g., pulling the tab on a tuna can) --- 6. Cutting or Breaking Cut open – Use a knife or scissors to open Slice open – Make an opening with a sharp object Break open – Forcefully open something (e.g., an egg, shell) Crack open – Open by cracking (e.g., an egg, a nut) --- 7. Pressing or Pumping Pump out – Dispense liquid by pressing a pump (e.g., soap, ketchup from a pump bottle) --- 8. Types of Covers Pop – To open suddenly, often with a popping sound, like a soda can. Cap – A cover for a bottle or container, like a water bottle cap or a ketchup bottle cap. Lid – A general cover for any container, like a pot lid or a food container lid.