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

The products opened up a week of product launches on Monday, as Apple begins what looks to be a broader multi-day hardware push. —Dylan Butts, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2026

Once news of their engagement broke in 1997, Pitt opened up to Rolling Stone about being a fiancé. —Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 3 Mar. 2026

Set the Stage Low or no music, no screens, and a comfortable cabin let everyone open up to a discussion. —Scotty Reiss, Parents, 3 Mar. 2026

The strikes killed at least 31 people, Lebanese authorities said, and opened up another front in the conflict. —Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 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)