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

Despite the Fever opening up a sizable lead at that point, the Mystics battled back, whittling it down to just two points halfway through the fourth and one point with a minute remaining. —Ian Miller, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026

During a recent conversation with PEOPLE, O'Halloran opened up about coming close to fighting late boxing legend Muhammad Ali. —Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026

Arranging furniture along the edges of a small patio opens up the center and makes the space feel larger. —Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 8 June 2026

Race registration was sold out as of this past weekend, but a waitlist is available for interested runners if space opens up. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 8 June 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)