cracking open

Verb

crack open (third-person singular simple present cracks open, present participle cracking open, simple past and past participle cracked open)

1. (informal) To open (a bottle, can, etc. of drink, especially alcoholic drink), especially in order to celebrate; also extended to other packaged items.
   • crack open a cold one
2. (informal) To start reading (a book).
   • You better crack open that algebra textbook if you plan on passing your mid-term exam.

   Synonyms:

   crack a book

3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see crack, open.
   • I cracked open the fossilised rock with a hammer.