A phrase denoting simplicity. An “open and shut” proposition is one which must be accepted or rejected in its entirety.
1848. That chap’s snoring beat all the high-pressures he ever heerd—jest as easy as open and shet!—Durivage and Burnham, ‘Stray Subjects,’ p. 128.
1902. I ’lowed we was going to make an open-and-shut trade that we could be proud of.—W. N. Harben, ‘Abner Daniel,’ p. 153.
