open up

phrasal verb
Word forms "open up":
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 shop every morning.

Open up! This is the police!

2) [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.

3) [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.

4) [intransitive/transitive] to create a difference between the people or groups involved in something

The issue of Europe has opened up deep divisions within the party.

United have opened up a 6-point lead over their nearest rivals.

5) [intransitive] to talk more about your personal feelings and experiences

open up to:

It's taken a few months, but Katy is finally starting to open up to me.

6) [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.

7) [intransitive] to start shooting a gun

He opened up on the crowd with an automatic rifle.

8) open someone up

[transitive] informal to cut into someone's body for medical reasons

When they opened her up they found a huge tumour.

9) [intransitive/transitive]

same as open II, 5)

Donald wants to retire and open up a bookshop.

New cinemas are starting to open up.

10) [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.