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

There are no plans to open up the upper bowl of Bank of America Stadium for select matches. — Alex Zietlow july 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2026

The landscape opens up, and passengers catch glimpses of the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers converging to form the Ohio River. — Abby Price, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2026

Artemis could open up a new sector of the world economy that will occupy the Moon’s surface and the space between Earth and the Moon. — Clive Neal, The Conversation, 14 July 2026

Wheeler opened up the extra period with a 3-pointer from the top of the key and Morales (10 points) sank a triple from the right corner shortly after. — Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 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)