#1 break open v. open with force; "He broke open the picnic basket". wn #2 break open v. come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure; "The bubble burst". wn #3 break open v. erupt or intensify suddenly; "Unrest erupted in the country"; "Tempers flared at the meeting"; "The crowd irrupted into a burst of patriotism". wn