open up
Britishverb
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(intr) to start firing a gun or guns
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(intr) to speak freely or without restraint
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informal (intr) (of a motor vehicle) to accelerate
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(tr) to render accessible
the motorway opened up the remoter areas
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to make or become more exciting or lively
the game opened up after half-time
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Spread out, unfold, as in A green valley opened up before us . [Early 1800s]
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Begin operation, as in The new store opens up next month . [Late 1700s]
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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 .
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Speak freely and candidly, as in At last the witness opened up and told what happened . “ Colloquial ; c. 1920]
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Make an opening by cutting, as in The surgeon opened up the patient's chest .
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Become available or accessible, as in With new markets opening up all the time we hope to see our revenues increase dramatically . [Mid-1800s]
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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]
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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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A break below that level would open up the possibility of a retest of summer lows, he says.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026
"Casting directors are in a unique position to widen the search and open up the conversation with writers and directors, challenging the initial casting briefs where needed."
From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026
Innovative behaviors and precise muscular coordination can open up entirely new possibilities, allowing creatures to accomplish feats that their body shapes might initially suggest are impossible.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 24, 2026
On the road, he’s also become a master of getting his fans to open up onstage about their deepest hopes, dreams and fears.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2026
I almost said I wanted Mom to open up and express herself, but I’ve gotten too familiar with Dad’s miserable almost-crying-trying-not-to-cry face, and I didn’t want to see it again.
From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
