Meaning & use
prop open
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Meanings
verbtransitive
To hold a door, window, or lid in an open position with a support so it cannot swing shut.
Grammar: Takes an object, usually a door or window: prop open the door. The object often comes after 'open': prop the window open.
Patterns
- prop something open
- prop open something with something
- leave something propped open
She propped the back door open with a brick so the cat could come and go.
We propped open the window to let some air into the stuffy room.
He propped the lid open with a wooden spoon while the rice cooked.
phrasefixed phrase
Held open by a support placed under or against it.
Grammar: Used after 'be' or 'leave' as a description of a state: the gate was propped open.
Patterns
- be propped open
- leave something propped open
The fire door must never be propped open, even for a minute.
All the classroom windows were propped open on the hot afternoon.
Word forms
| third person singular | props open |
|---|---|
| past tense | propped open |
| past participle | propped open |
| -ing form | propping open |
Common combinations
- prop a door open
- He propped the door open while carrying in the boxes.
- prop a window open
- They propped a window open to clear the smoke.
- leave something propped open
- Don't leave the gate propped open or the dog will get out.
- keep something propped open
- We keep the hatch propped open in summer.
- prop something open with a brick
- She propped the shed door open with a brick.
Synonyms and how they differ
- hold open
- More general and neutral; it describes any way of keeping something open, not necessarily with a physical prop.
- wedge open
- Suggests jamming something firmly in place, often with a thin object, and stresses that it stays stuck.
- jam open
- Informal and often implies force or an awkward fit rather than a deliberate support.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: prop open or pop open? prop open or pry open?
prop open vs pop open
'Pop open' means to open suddenly or easily, often by itself; 'prop open' means to keep something open with a support.
prop open vs pry open
'Pry open' means to force something open with a tool, usually because it is stuck or locked; 'prop open' keeps it open after it is already open.
Practice
The cleaner ___ the fire door open with a wooden wedge, which is against safety rules.
Choose one answer.
'Propped ... open' is the fixed pattern for holding a door open with a support. 'Popped open' means it opened suddenly by itself, 'pried open' means it was forced open with a tool, and 'propped up' needs a different complement, such as 'propped up the shelf', not 'open'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “prop open”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.