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

For retailers, understanding this subconscious process opens up new ways to refine pricing and marketing strategies to better align with how customers actually make decisions. —Anton Timashev, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025

Elizabeth Banks plays a celebrity esthetician who is unexpectedly challenged by a competitor opening up across the street. —K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 13 June 2025

In decades past, Trump frequently attended Neil Young concerts, and in 1991, Gordon’s band Sonic Youth opened up for Young. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 13 June 2025

Continue reading … -- IN OTHER NEWS BRAVE BATTLE – 'Grey's Anatomy' star opens up about devastating diagnosis in emotional interview. —FOXNews.com, 13 June 2025

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)