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

Michele Reiner’s sister, Martine Singer, has opened up about the death of her sibling and director Rob Reiner, to whom her sister was married. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026

Billboard Japan spoke with the pair, who opened up about the recent comeback and the years in between. — Billboard Japan, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2026

Condos also open up neighborhoods that would otherwise be too expensive. — Emily Hochberg, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Once our experts opened up about the raw realities of the work, the local team recognized shared human challenges. — Maayan Aviv, Forbes.com, 29 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)