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

Especially since Walker is shifting the dynamics — perhaps soon to the point where his presence will open up the pass game in ways the Chiefs could only dream of in the last few seasons. — Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026

Raddysh’s big shot could open up space for Rielly to operate at that end of the ice. — Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

In August, while speaking to PEOPLE about his new Netflix movie The Whisper Man, De Niro opened up about balancing a busy career with fatherhood. — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026

While traditional search engine optimization (SEO) and direct-to-consumer (DTC) loyalty programs remain vital, a brilliant new digital landscape is opening up. — Narendra Lakshmana Gowda, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 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)