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open up
verb
(intr) to start firing a gun or guns
(intr) to speak freely or without restraint
informal, (intr) (of a motor vehicle) to accelerate
(tr) to render accessible
the motorway opened up the remoter areas
to make or become more exciting or lively
the game opened up after half-time
Idioms and Phrases
Spread out, unfold, as in A green valley opened up before us . [Early 1800s]
Begin operation, as in The new store opens up next month . [Late 1700s]
Begin firing, begin attacking, as in The artillery opened up at dawn , or, figuratively, The speaker opened up fiercely on the opposition . [1930s] Also see open fire .
Speak freely and candidly, as in At last the witness opened up and told what happened . “ Colloquial ; c. 1920]
Make an opening by cutting, as in The surgeon opened up the patient's chest .
Become available or accessible, as in With new markets opening up all the time we hope to see our revenues increase dramatically . [Mid-1800s]
Increase the speed of a vehicle, as in Let's see how fast the car will go if you open it up . [ Colloquial ; c. 1920]
Open the door, let me (or us) in, as in Open up! This is the police . [Mid-1900s] Note that in all of these usages except def. 4 and 7, up serves as an intensifier, that is, it emphasizes the verb open .
Example Sentences
But “policies this broad open up the possibility of different enforcement.”
Party strategists believe this could help the party open up opportunities to take further seats off the Tories in areas such as Surrey, Hertfordshire and Devon.
When you open up the body like a huge ear, you start to realize that percussion isn’t just the backbone of music — it’s the soul, breath and gesture.
They finished the season as champions of Cyprus for the first time - winning the title by seven points and opening up a route to the Champions League.
The scheme is due to be opened up in January to current year 13 students in the local area.
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