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

Carter is known for her light-hearted and friendly personality, which creates a safe environment for athletes to open up with her during interviews. —Katelyn Hutchison, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025

Elsewhere in his conversation with GQ, Beckham opened up about falling in love with traditional men's tailoring, linen suits and other classic styles as he's gotten older. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025

Since 2012, Mueller has continued to open up locations in Chennai, Hyderabad, and Delhi. —Aditi Shrikant, CNBC, 26 Apr. 2025

There’s a new French bakery that opened up nearby called La Farine Patisserie et Café. —Devorah Lev-Tov, New York Times, 26 Apr. 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)