The answer to the crossword for the term OPENING BID is 'SESAME'. An OPENING BID is the first BID made in an auction. It is the starting point for the bidding process and sets the tone for the rest of the auction. The term 'SESAME' is often used to refer to something that opens, such as a door or a lock. This phrase is derived from the fairy tale 'Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves', in which the phrase 'Open SESAME' is used to open a secret door.