He opened the door wide for her.

Meaning: It's like saying, He made the closed thing able to be opened as large as possible to help her.

Choice of Words: Opened means to make something that is closed able to be opened. Wide means to make something as large as possible. For means something is done to help or because of someone. When we put them together, it's a way of making something that is closed able to be opened as large as possible to help someone.

Alternative Expressions

He swung the door open for her.

Meaning: This means that he made space for her to enter or leave by moving the door back and forth or in a circle so that it was no longer closed.

Choice of Words: Swung means to move something back and forth or in a circle. Door is a thing that can be moved to open or close an entrance to a room or building. Open means to move something so that it is no longer closed. For means to do something for the benefit of someone. Her is a pronoun that refers to a female person. When you put them together, "He swung the door open for her" means that he moved the door back and forth or in a circle so that it was no longer closed for the benefit of the female person.

He held the door open for her.

Meaning: This means that he made space for her to enter or leave by keeping the door in his hand or grasp so that it was no longer closed.

Choice of Words: Held means to keep something in your hand or grasp. Door is a thing that can be moved to open or close an entrance to a room or building. Open means to move something so that it is no longer closed. For means to do something for the benefit of someone. Her is a pronoun that refers to a female person. When you put them together, "He held the door open for her" means that he kept the door in his hand or grasp so that it was no longer closed for the benefit of the female person.

Related Expressions