open up
[verb]
Synonyms: operate, cut

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

open up phrasal verb (see also open)

1. OPPORTUNITY if opportunities open up, or a new situation opens them up, they become available or possible:
With a microscope, a whole new world of investigation opens up.
open something ↔ up
The new international agreement opens up the possibility of much greater co-operation against terrorism.

2. LAND open something ↔ up if someone opens up an area of land, they make it easier to reach and ready for development:
The new road will open up 300 acres of prime development land.

3. DOOR/CONTAINER ETC to open something that is closed, locked, or covered:
Open up, this is the police!
open something ↔ up
He opened up his case and took out a clean sweater.

4. SHOP/OFFICE ETC
a) if a shop, office etc opens up or is opened up, someone starts it
b) if a shop, office etc opens up at a particular time, it starts business at that time

5. DISAGREEMENT/DISCUSSION open something ↔ up to start a discussion or argument:
The article was written with the intention of opening up a public debate.

6. COMPETITION/RACE if someone opens up a lead in a competition or race, they increase the distance or number of points by which they are winning

7. TALK to stop being shy and say what you really think:
Last night was the first time that Ken had opened up about his feelings.

8. WITH A GUN to start shooting

9. HOLE/CRACK ETC if a hole, crack etc opens up or is opened up, it appears and becomes wider

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

open up
open up (something)
to make something available.
Two jobs have recently opened up in the sales department.

Seniors can register for the class first, but then they open it up to everybody.

to talk in a free and honest way.
I felt I couldn't open up to anybody, not even to my best friend.

Usage notes: usually said about discussing your thoughts or feelings

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

open up something
open up (something)
to make something available.
Two jobs have recently opened up in the sales department.

Seniors can register for the class first, but then they open it up to everybody.

to talk in a free and honest way.
I felt I couldn't open up to anybody, not even to my best friend.

Usage notes: usually said about discussing your thoughts or feelings

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

open something up
1. to make something less congested
We opened up the yard by cutting down some trees.

2. to reveal the possibilities of something
The departure of the school principal opened his job up to other members of the staff.

3. to start the use of something such as land or a building
The government is planning to open more land up to farming.

4. to unwrap something
The little boy laughed as he opened his birthday presents up.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

open up
1. to make something less congested
We opened up the yard by cutting down some trees.

2. to reveal the possibilities of something
The departure of the school principal opened his job up to other members of the staff.

3. to start the use of something such as land or a building
The government is planning to open more land up to farming.

4. to unwrap something
The little boy laughed as he opened his birthday presents up.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

open up
v.
1. To show for the first time; make clear; reveal.
The story of Helen Keller's life opened up a whole new world to Mary.
Einstein's theories opened up a whole new area for study.
2. To make available; present an opportunity; offer.
The building of the railroad opened up new lands to the pioneers.
John opened up a whole new section of the Scrabble board.
3. informal To go faster.
When they got out on the highway John opened up and drove at 65 miles per hour.
4. informal To begin to shoot.
When they got close to the enemy lines, they opened up with all they had.
5. informal To begin to talk frankly.
After John learned to trust Mr. Jones, he opened up and told him how he felt.
6. To spread out.
After a while the road opened up and they traveled more quickly.
7. To become available.
When she got her college diploma, many new jobs opened up.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲