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

The actor, who made waves in 1975 for his portrayal of trans alien scientist Frank-N-Furter, has opened up about his mom Patricia Curry's reactions to his fame. —Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025

The whole idea of landscapes opened up an expanse of ideas. —Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025

Jeremy Strong is opening up about his upcoming role as Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network sequel. —Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2025

Why this matters and what comes next This breakthrough opens up a new path to secure authentication. —Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 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)