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

The Chinese opened up to the West. —Literary Hub, 2 June 2026

In an exclusive interview with ABC News' Chris Connelly, the singer opened up about how being diagnosed with lung cancer and undergoing a left lung lobectomy has altered his voice. —ABC News, 1 June 2026

Diversifying your career portfolio will ultimately set you up for success and open up new opportunities. —Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

With all the time off, and his body finally willing to cooperate, a pathway opened up to try again, to find that love of the game, even if the backdrop looked far different. —Sam Blum, New York Times, 1 June 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)