open up
verb
opened up;
opening up;
opens up
Definition of open up
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
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 bill also opens up a two-year window to victims who were previously barred by the statute of limitation. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Wave of child sex abuse lawsuits threatens Boy Scouts," 30 Aug. 2019 Gaines’ 31-yard rush opened up a 7-0 lead for Walton-Verona that held steady until the Bearcats added on in the third quarter with a Tristan Padgett field goal for a 10-0 lead. — Luke Feliciano, Cincinnati.com, "Week 1 high school football scores in Ohio and Northern Kentucky," 30 Aug. 2019 For American, the XLR could open up formerly unlikely route pairs like Charlotte to Berlin or Philadelphia to Basel. — Barbara Peterson, Condé Nast Traveler, "Airbus Wants to Change the Way We Fly Long Haul," 28 Aug. 2019 Will Auburn open up the playbook against the Ducks, or play it close to the vest? — oregonlive.com, "No excuses, time for the Oregon Ducks to win a big game on the national stage: Issues & Answers," 27 Aug. 2019 In a new interview with Rolling Stone, Styles opens up about his new album, and whether future music could include his former bandmates. — Marcus Jones, EW.com, "Harry Styles reveals what it would take for One Direction to make new music," 26 Aug. 2019 Voters will take up a $600 million housing bond and a separate measure to open up big tracts of public land for 100% affordable and teacher housing. — Heather Knight, SFChronicle.com, "‘They’re getting it done’: What SF can learn from Seattle on housing, homelessness," 16 Aug. 2019 The move, though largely symbolic, could complicate any attempt to open up direct talks between Washington and Tehran. — NBC News, "Iran seizes another foreign oil tanker in Persian Gulf, state TV reports," 4 Aug. 2019 The scientist butted heads with Bolsonaro after the damning satellite data was released earlier in June, turning the international spotlight on the President's controversial plans to open up the world's largest rainforest to industry. — Sheena Mckenzie, CNN, "Scientist who called out Bolsonaro on Amazon deforestation is fired," 3 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'open up.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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