open sesame
noun
open ses·a·me ˌō-pən-ˈse-sə-mē 
: something that unfailingly brings about a desired end
Synonyms
- gateway
- key
- passport
- secret
- ticket
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Perfect test scores are an open sesame to the best schools. it turned out that a simple “please” was the open sesame for charming the hotel manager into giving us a room with a better view
Word History
Etymology
from open sesame, the magical command used by Ali Baba to open the door of the robbers' den in Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
First Known Use
1814, in the meaning defined above
open sesame
noun
as in key
something that allows someone to achieve a desired goal it turned out that a simple "please" was the open sesame for charming the hotel manager into giving us a room with a better view Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- key
- ticket
- gateway
- passport
- secret
- approach
- success
- means
- triumph
- way
- method
- ground plan
- design
- coup
- attainment
- password
- achievement
- technique
- style
- system
- plan
- strategy
- accomplishment
- blueprint
- program
- manner
- scheme
- have/get a corner on
- have/get one's (own) way
- have/get one's head (screwed) on right/straight
- have/get one's nose/snout in the trough
- have/get the goods on
- have/get the last laugh
- have/hold the lead
- have/hold/want no truck with
- have/keep (something) up one's sleeve
- have/keep an/one's eye out for
- have/keep half an eye on
- have/keep one's feet on the ground
- have/keep one's guard up
- have/keep/put one's finger on the pulse of
- have/know all the answers
- have/put one's hands in the till
- have/share (something) in common
- have/share more/less in common with
- have/take a butcher's
- have/take a seat
- have/take a tinkle
- have/take a wander
- have/take a whack at
- have/take precedence over
- have/take/get someone's measure