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

Soon after, William Stevenson went on to open up The Stone Balloon Club, which became one the most popular college bars in the country near the University of Delaware in Newark, where the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews and The Allman Brothers Band played for crowds for decades. —Gary Grumbach, NBC news, 3 Feb. 2026

During an episode of Today in 2022, Guthrie opened up about her humble beginnings. —Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 3 Feb. 2026

The paved trail also includes an underpass that opens up to a cascade of glowing orbs, which will illuminate the path at night. —James Taylor, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026

Successfully securing Champions League qualification will give Villa a bigger budget next summer and open up broader, more attractive options. —Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 3 Feb. 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)