Definition of "break open" []

• Come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure (verb)
• Open with force (verb)
• Erupt or intensify suddenly (verb)

WordNet. Princeton University. 2010.

• "She answered, ‘Know that when I saw the robbers break open thy door and rush in, I was in sore terror, for I doubted not but that they were the Caliph’s officers and would seize me and my mistress and we should perish forthwith: so we fled over the roofs, I and the maids; and, casting ourselves down from a high place, came upon some people with whom we took refuge; and they received us and brought us to the palace of the"
• "One of these depredators once, in St. Eustatia, came on board of our vessel, and bought some fowls and pigs of me; and a whole day after his departure with the things he returned again and wanted his money back: I refused to give it; and, not seeing my captain on board, he began the common pranks with me; and swore he would even break open my chest and take my money."
• "When the pain becomes unbearable — and it will — break open the phial and mix it with wine."