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

Arrington wants to open up a conversation about adding fiscal responsibility to the country’s Constitution. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026

In her new memoir Famesick, Dunham, 39, opens up about facing chronic illness, making Girls, dating and coming of age. —Alex Ross, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026

The reveal comes just days before the company will open up the order books for the upcoming model year. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2026

Although Snow White took Disney completely out of debt, the company just opened up ever-larger lines of credit with Bank of America. —Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 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)