open sesame


noun

any marvelously effective means for bringing about a desired result: Wealth is the open sesame to happiness.

Origin of open sesame

First recorded in 1785–95; from the use of these words by Ali Baba to open the door of the robbers' den

Example sentences from the Web for open sesame

  • There are a dozen men in the city, a line from whom would be an open-sesame.

  • The conserje in the Patio de la Monteria scanned the open-sesame.

    The Story of Seville |Walter M. Gallichan
  • She had expected the name to act as an open-sesame, and it was not even recognised.

    The Daughters of a Genius |Mrs. George de Horne Vaizey
  • This open-sesame for the iron gates was given to each person with the warning that it must not be forgotten.

    A Trip to the Orient |Robert Urie Jacob

British Dictionary definitions for open sesame

open sesame

noun

a very successful means of achieving a result

Word Origin for open sesame

from the magical words used by Ali Baba in The Arabian Nights' Entertainments to open the door of the robbers' den