Definition of open season

The phrase "open season" originated in hunting culture, where it refers to a specific time of year when a particular species of game animals can be legally hunted without any restrictions or limits on the number of animals that can be taken. The term "open season" was first used in the early 19th century in the United States, where it was used by hunters to describe the period when hunting for a particular species was allowed. During these times of "open season," hunters were free to hunt as much as they wanted, and there were no limits on the number of animals that could be taken. The phrase has since expanded beyond its hunting context to describe any time when someone or something becomes more vulnerable to criticism, attack, or harm, as if they are fair game. Today, it's commonly used in business, politics, and other contexts to describe a time when criticism or negative feedback is more accepted or acceptable.