open up

present singular third person opens up · participle present opening up · participle past opened up · past opened up

1. ambitransitiveTo open.

   Open up the door!

   3 more examples

   Some vacancies have opened up due to retirements.

   The executive pay gap is opening up again.

   Wilshire then opened up Everton's defence, but Van Persie lifted his finish over the onrushing Howard and also over the bar.

   2011 February 1, Phil McNulty, “Arsenal 2 - 1 Everton”, in BBC

2. ambitransitiveTo widen.

   The corridor gradually opened up into a triangular room.

   1 more example

   Much as one appreciates the beauty of these woodlands, it was good to learn that some discreet tree-felling may open up the view still further.

   1958 July 28, R. K. Kirkland, “Into the Mountains on the Festiniog Railway”, in Railway Magazine, page 453

3. transitiveTo bring up (a topic etc.).

   Mr Hollyer opens up three excellent reasons why this man might wish to dispose of his wife. If we accept the suggestion of poisoning—though we have only a jealous woman's suspicion for it—we add to the wish the determination.

   1914, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], Max Carrados

4. ambitransitiveTo reveal (oneself); to share personal information about oneself; to become communicative.

   After three hours of questioning, he finally opened up.

5. To commence a literal or figurative battery of attacks.
   1. intransitiveTo commence firing weapons.

      As the convoy entered the pass, we opened up on them with everything we had.

   2. figurativelyintransitiveTo rain.

      The sky has really opened up. I've never seen this much rain!

   3. intransitiveTo berate; to begin shouting at or insulting someone or something.

      As soon as she saw him, she just opened up!

6. intransitiveTo begin running, driving, travelling, etc., at maximum (or faster) speed.

   The pigeon is moving as before with unhurried haste. [...] But it must be all out. If it wasn't, then it would open up and get away from that shadow of death behind it.

   1934, Henry G. Lamond, An Aviary on the Plains, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 211

   1 more example

   Then we simply crawled onwards to Tebay, and not until well on to the 1 in 75 did the driver open up; the result was no greater drop than from 57 at Tebay to a sustained 40 m.p.h. up the last mile to Shap Summit.

   1957 August 28, Cecil J. Allen, “British Locomotive Practice and Performance”, in Railway Magazine, page 568

7. intransitiveentertainmentSynonym of cheat out (“to face or turn toward the audience more than would be natural”).

   In stage acting, we are frequently asked to cheat out to the audience by opening up our body positions so that we are something halfway between facing them and our partner.

   2015, Robert Barton, Acting: Onstage and Off, page 184

   Synonyms: cheat out

8. intransitivebeveragesOf wine: to develop its full flavor a short time after being uncorked and poured.