open up
verb
opened up; opening up; opens up
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
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
This week, we’re joined by the king of broadcast sitcoms, Chuck Lorre, who in an extended interview opens up about burying the hatchet with his former Two and a Half Men star Charlie Sheen on Bookie, which marks the Big Bang Theory creator’s streaming debut for Max.
—
Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Dec. 2023
Money, with its universal trust and universal exchangeability, opens up options and confers power and independence.
—Ge Bai, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023
The companies will collaborate to open up new opportunities for talent and intellectual property across Web3, the metaverse, AI, virtual games and experiences and more.
—Chris Eggertsen, Billboard, 30 Nov. 2023
The actor exclusively opened up to PEOPLE about the hugely successful franchise while walking the red carpet Wednesday at the Los Angeles premiere of Family Switch, his new Netflix comedy with Jennifer Garner.
—Alex Cramer, Peoplemag, 30 Nov. 2023
Since the family’s release, Ohad has been reluctant to open up about his abduction on Oct. 7, Mr. Mor said.
—Russell Goldman, New York Times, 30 Nov. 2023
The production wells could then be opened up when electricity is needed.
—IEEE Spectrum, 29 Nov. 2023
Newsletters Sign up for Morning Rounds Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day
The timeframe of the project also opens up avenues of research.
—Andrew Joseph, STAT, 29 Nov. 2023
In October, Williams opened up to Rolling Stone about the difficult process of reuniting for their latest record.
—Carita Rizzo, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2023
See More
Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Dec. 2023
Money, with its universal trust and universal exchangeability, opens up options and confers power and independence.
—Ge Bai, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023
The companies will collaborate to open up new opportunities for talent and intellectual property across Web3, the metaverse, AI, virtual games and experiences and more.
—Chris Eggertsen, Billboard, 30 Nov. 2023
The actor exclusively opened up to PEOPLE about the hugely successful franchise while walking the red carpet Wednesday at the Los Angeles premiere of Family Switch, his new Netflix comedy with Jennifer Garner.
—Alex Cramer, Peoplemag, 30 Nov. 2023
Since the family’s release, Ohad has been reluctant to open up about his abduction on Oct. 7, Mr. Mor said.
—Russell Goldman, New York Times, 30 Nov. 2023
The production wells could then be opened up when electricity is needed.
—IEEE Spectrum, 29 Nov. 2023
Newsletters Sign up for Morning Rounds Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day
The timeframe of the project also opens up avenues of research.
—Andrew Joseph, STAT, 29 Nov. 2023
In October, Williams opened up to Rolling Stone about the difficult process of reuniting for their latest record.
—Carita Rizzo, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'open up.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1582, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near open up
Cite this Entry
“Open up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open%20up. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
open up
verb1
: 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)
More from Merriam-Webster on open up
Britannica English: Translation of open up for Arabic Speakers
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