open house
noun
a party or reception during which anyone who wishes may visit to share in a celebration, meet a special guest, etc.
a time during which a school, institution, etc., is open to the public for exhibition or for some specific occasion.
a house hospitably open to all friends who may wish to visit it.
Idioms for open house
keep open house,
to be prepared to entertain visitors at any time: They keep open house for artists and writers.
Origin of open house
First recorded in 1520–30
Words nearby open house
Example sentences from the Web for open house
There was also an open-house at your own apartment during that period of time, was there not?
Warren Commission (8 of 26): Hearings Vol. VIII (of 15) |The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
British Dictionary definitions for open house
open house
noun
US and Canadian
an occasion on which an institution, such as a school, is open for inspection by the public
Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): open day, at-home
keep open house
to be always ready to provide hospitality
US and NZ
a house available for inspection by prospective buyers