Definition

1. Verb (transitive):

   • To make something accessible or available: To remove barriers or restrictions, allowing entry, use, or development.
   • To cause something to open: To physically move something so that it is no longer closed or sealed.
   • To begin operations for business: To start a new business or service.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To become open: To change from a closed to an open state.
   • To become available or accessible: For opportunities, possibilities, or areas to become attainable or ready for use.
   • To start talking freely: To begin to speak honestly and without inhibition about one's feelings or thoughts.

Usage Examples

• Verb (transitive):

  • The new policy will open up trade between the two countries.
  • Can you open up the window? It's very warm in here.
  • They plan to open up a new café on Main Street next month.

• Verb (intransitive):

  • The flowers open up in the morning sunlight.
  • New job opportunities opened up after she completed her degree.
  • It took a long time for him to open up about his childhood.

Advanced Usage

• "to open up a lead": In sports or competitions, to increase the gap or advantage over an opponent.

  • The runner opened up a significant lead in the final lap.

• "to open up old wounds": To revive painful memories or feelings from the past.

  • Discussing the accident only served to open up old wounds.

Variants and Related Words

• Open (adj, v): The base form, meaning not closed or to make accessible.
• Opening (n): An act or instance of making or becoming open; a gap or hole; a beginning.
• Opener (n): A device for opening something, or the first item in a series.

Synonyms

• Unlock: To open something that was locked.
• Reveal: To make previously unknown information known.
• Inaugurate: To begin or introduce a system, policy, or period.
• Unfold: To open or spread out from a folded state; to develop.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Open out: To unfold or spread out; to become less shy.

  • The valley opened out before us as we reached the hilltop.

• Open onto: (Of a door, window, or place) to provide a view or access to.

  • The French doors open onto a beautiful garden.

Related Idioms

• Open up a can of worms: To create a situation that will cause many unforeseen and complex problems.

  • Asking about the budget opened up a real can of worms.

• Open up shop: To start doing business for the day, or to start a new business venture.

  • They open up shop at 7 AM every day.

Verb

1. talk freely and without inhibition
2. become open
   • The door opened
3. start to operate or function or cause to start operating or functioning
   • open a business
4. open up an area or prepare a way
   • She pioneered a graduate program for women students
5. make available
   • This opens up new possibilities
6. become available
   • an opportunity opened up
7. cause to open or to become open
   • Mary opened the car door