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 sesames
noun
as in keys
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
- keys
- tickets
- gateways
- passports
- secrets
- approaches
- methods
- means
- successes
- ways
- passwords
- triumphs
- techniques
- ground plans
- systems
- styles
- accomplishments
- blueprints
- achievements
- plans
- strategies
- programs
- designs
- attainments
- manners
- coups
- schemes
- lady's-delight
- lady's-delights
- make someone's hackles rise
- make someone's head spin
- make someone's skin crawl
- make someone's skin crawl/creep
- make someone's skin creep
- make someone's skin/flesh crawl
- make someone's skin/flesh creep
- make someone's stomach turn
- make something into a big deal
- make something known
- make something of
- make something of (oneself)
- make something of it
- make something of one's life
- make something of oneself
- make something one's own
- make something stick
- make sport of
- make stick
- make sure
- make the acquaintance of someone
- make the bed
- make the best of