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

Observations Columbus opened up the event shorthanded (missing Parris Todd for the day) but waxed the dead-last Hustlers nonetheless 4-0 to start their campaign. —Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025

The Chiefs star opened up about his offseason with Kay Adams on Monday and talked about picking the brain of NFL legend Tom Brady. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 July 2025

Cody Ware has opened up on his scary 93 mph crash into the tire barrier during the NASCAR Cup Series street race in Chicago, which occurred due to a brake failure. —Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025

In June, Apple announced that those models would be opened up to third-party developers for the first time, allowing for a range of new iPhone and iPad apps. —Mark Gurman, Fortune, 7 July 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)