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

While appearing on SiriusXM’s Andy Cohen Live alongside The Devil Wears Prada 2 costars Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci, the Oscar-winning actress, 76, opened up about a potential future collaboration with her Only Murders in the Building costar Martin Short. —Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026

The idea is to quickly move traffic through the Laajasalo area ahead of its population doubling, as a new residential district called Kruunuvuorenranta opens up. —New Atlas, 20 Apr. 2026

Next, the proposal will be opened up for public feedback before entering a formal legislative process, according to a statement. —Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026

Hathaway also opened up to People about getting to perform alongside the legendary Streep again, who plays Miranda Priestly in the series. —Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 20 Apr. 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)