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

Owners Spencer Allen and his wife, Tracy Quigley, have been considering opening up some kind of business in the building at 710 Milwaukee Ave. —Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 8 Sep. 2025

In August, Kimmel opened up about returning to his roots to host Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. —Stephanie Wenger, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025

That opened up a shooting chance, which Wolff finished expertly. —Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025

Its crown jewel was the balcony, which opened up to uninterrupted views of the lake and the hotel's waterfront promenade. —Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 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)