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

The company is heavy in the engineering and development department, which is key for slicing and dicing the data in different ways to open up opportunities beyond trailfinding. —Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024

The open congressional seat in District 12 opened up after Rep. Barbara Lee lost in her run for California senator and did not seek reelection. —Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024

Photo: Houlihan Lawrence Inc. The floor-to-ceiling windows in this listing photo of the living room open up into the woods. —Clio Chang, Curbed, 8 Nov. 2024

The couple opens up to PEOPLE exclusively about navigating Rochell's free agency and being parents to 11-month-old daughter Scottie Comments Allison Kuch and Isaac Rochell have been together for almost 11 years, with each year revolving around football — until now. —Jordan Greene, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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)