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

Going to Peer Solution’s monthly family nights has opened up communication between her and her kids. —Reia Li, AZCentral.com, 14 Dec. 2025

Exceptional circumstances open up narrative possibilities. —Willing Davidson, New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2025

Last year, before her split from Davino, Sweeney opened up about her decision to be with a man 14 years older. —Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 14 Dec. 2025

Saunders opens up about facing discrimination as a black dancer with a larger body and being raised by a single mother, which makes dancing for the historic tour that much more special. —Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 12 Dec. 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)