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

Every morning, guests open up their cabin screen doors to the crisp mountain air and a jug of coffee (or tea, if preferred) with fresh milk (with non-dairy options). —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 June 2026

Then Argentina start their defence, Messi and pals opening up against Algeria. —Nick Miller, New York Times, 16 June 2026

Only later was it opened up as an exclusive-use resort. —Arion McNicoll, TheWeek, 15 June 2026

StockX Live will allow buyers to participate in a variety of live auctions, many of which will begin at $1, and join free-to-enter giveaways, which will allow viewers to walk away with in-demand items without ever opening up their wallets, the company said. —Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 15 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)