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

Patterned tiles line the floors, and large windows open up into the rural village below. —Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2026

Moore opened up about his struggles with depression in the letter. —Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 17 Mar. 2026

This year, Bain and Akheem Mesidor are headed to the NFL, opening up spots on the defensive line. —Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026

During an appearance on Monday's episode of the Club Random With Bill Maherpodcast, the Stand by Me actor opened up about how commenting on the 2024 presidential election caused a minor fight in his family. —Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 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)