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

Perhaps no one, so count us among the many looking for Chilly Willi’s to open up soon. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 6 Jan. 2026

While opening up airspace on Sunday, the FAA put in new advisory NOTAM notices as precautionary measures for flights around Curaçao, San Juan, Maiquetia and Piarco Flight Information Regions. —Miami Herald, 5 Jan. 2026

The Bucks knocked down their next four 3-point attempts while opening up a seven-point lead. —Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 5 Jan. 2026

Industry star Marisa Abela is opening up about being diagnosed with thyroid cancer at 23, and living the rest of her life on medication after undergoing treatment early in her career. —Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Jan. 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)