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

Melanie opened up about her iconic role in a 2020 interview with IndieWire, and spoke about the late Norman Lear’s work with disability. —Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 28 Dec. 2025

Chevy Chase is opening up about a health scare that landed him in the hospital for five weeks. —Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 27 Dec. 2025

The hot hand of Ellis seemed to light a fire in the Kings, who opened up a 17-point lead after going 13 of 21 from the field and 4 of 8 from 3-point range to start the game. —Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 27 Dec. 2025

Wendy Thomas Morse, the namesake of Wendy's fast food restaurants recently opened up about becoming the face of a nationwide burger chain at such a young age. —Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 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)