open up

phrasal verb

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	open up
he/she/it	opens up
present participle	opening up
past tense	opened up
past participle	opened up

1
intransitive/transitive to open a locked door, container, or building
He opens up the drugstore every morning.
Open up! This is the police!
Synonyms and related words
To open or unlock something, or to come open
open up
undo
unlock
2
intransitive to talk more about your personal feelings and experiences
open up to:
It’s taken a few months, but Katy is now starting to open up to me.
Synonyms and related words
To show or express emotions
show
display
manifest
3
intransitive/transitive if something opens up or you open it up, it opens from a folded position so that you can see its shape
Look, the rose buds are beginning to open up.
I opened up a folding chair for my grandmother.
Synonyms and related words
To change the shape of something
reshape
open up
shape
4
intransitive/transitive if a discussion opens up, or if you open it up, it becomes more general or starts to include more subjects
I think we need to open up the discussion and ask members of the audience for their opinions.
Synonyms and related words
To discuss something
discuss
consider
talk
5
intransitive/transitive to make it easier to travel or do business in a country
The building of canals opened up the interior of the country.
open up to:
China is opening up to foreign investment.
Synonyms and related words
To change the way a country, organization or industry is run
centralise
centralization
centralize
6
intransitive/transitive to create a new opportunity or possibility
Going freelance opens up all sorts of possibilities to you.
New markets are opening up every day.
Synonyms and related words
To make something possible
let
qualify
encourage
7
intransitive/transitive to create a difference between the people or groups involved in something
The issue of immigration has opened up deep divisions within the party.
The Braves have opened up a three game lead over the second-place team.
Synonyms and related words
To cause problems between people
come between
set against
tear apart
8
intransitive to start shooting a gun
He opened up on the crowd with an automatic rifle.
Synonyms and related words
To use a gun
aim
at gunpoint
cock
9
transitive (open someone up) informalto cut into someone’s body for medical reasons
When they opened her up they found a huge tumor.
Synonyms and related words
To perform a medical test, treatment or operation
abort
anaesthetize
anesthetize
10
intransitive/transitive same as open
Donald wants to retire and open up a bookstore.
11
intransitive/transitive if something opens up, or if you open it up, it opens from a folded position so that you can see its shape
The rose buds are beginning to open up.
She opened her umbrella up at the first drops of rain.
Synonyms and related words
To change the shape of something
reshape
open up
shape