1. To break something open. A noun or pronoun can be used between "crack" and "open." The earthquake cracked the highway wide open.

2. To expose something scandalous or deceptive. A noun or pronoun can be used between "crack" and "open." That company's stock price plummeted after the media cracked the CEO's embezzlement scandal wide open. An anonymous tip to the police is what cracked the theft ring wide open.