open up
phrasal verbopen up
- to begin shooting
- Anti-aircraft guns opened up.
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- (often used in orders) to open a door, container, etc.
- Open up or we'll break the door down!
- ‘Open up!’ He hammered on the door.
open up (to somebody)
(British English also open out (to somebody))
- to talk about what you feel and think; to become less shy and more willing to communicate
- It helps to discuss your problems but I find it hard to open up.
- He only opened up to her very slowly.
open something up | open up
- to become or make something possible, available or able to be reached
- The new catalogue will open up the market for our products.
- The railway opened up the east of the country.
- Exciting possibilities were opening up for her in the new job.
- to begin business for the day
- I open up the store for the day at around 8.30.
- I'd just opened up when this guy came in.
- to start a new business
- There's a new Thai restaurant opening up in town.
- We've just opened up a branch in Madrid.
- to develop or start to happen or exist; to develop or start something
- A division has opened up between the two ministers over the issue.
- Scott opened up a 3-point lead in the first game.
- to appear and become wider; to make something wider when it is narrow or closed
- The wound opened up and started bleeding.
- The operation will open up the blocked passages around his heart.
open something up
- to make something open that is shut, locked, etc.
- She laid the book flat and opened it up.