open up

verb

opened up; opening up; opens up

transitive verb

1

: to make available or possible

The discovery opens up the possibility of new cures.

2

: to make plain or visible : disclose

3

: to open by cutting into

intransitive verb

1

: to become available or possible

The hostess will let us know when a table opens up.

2

: to spread out or come into view

The road opens up ahead.

3

: to commence firing

4

: to become communicative

tried to get the patient to open up

Examples of open up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But tensions have opened up between data center boosters and some community organizations that want to see more jobs and economic benefits go to local residents, especially predominantly poor Hispanic farm and food processing workers. — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026

The Saturday Night actress also opened up about how she’s been criticized over the years for her relationships. — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2026

The strategy opens up China’s roughly $26 trillion pool of household savings—the world’s largest—to tech financing, and comes as authorities have moved unusually fast to prop up tech stocks during recent selloffs. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026

The two doctors are able to show their sweet sides, to smile, open up slightly. — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for open up

• buttercup
• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup

Kids Definition

open up

verb

1

: to make available

2

: to make visible or come into view

the road opens up ahead

3

: to begin firing (as with a weapon or with questions)