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

Nothing's going to happen until the government opens up again. —ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025

The Broncos scored just 7 points in both of their losses, at South Florida and at Notre Dame, and Madsen struggled in those games, and then eventually opened up about the vitriol that can come at a college quarterback online. —Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 2 Nov. 2025

For anyone suggesting Michigan should open up its quarterback competition, forget it. —Austin Meek, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025

Taylor opened up to Vanity Fair in 2010 about her lifelong love with Burton. —Makena Gera, PEOPLE, 1 Nov. 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)