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

Prince Harry is opening up about his and wife Meghan Markle’s unexpected decision earlier this year to move back to the United Kingdom years after their dramatic fallout with the British royal family. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

The findings open up new research avenues in quantum technologies such as computing and sensing. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026

Applegate also opened up about the toll her chronic pain and mobility issues have taken on her mental health and career. — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Tuesday’s sessions dealt with how government can back productions, including opening up shooting locations around Jakarta. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Oct. 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)