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open up
/ˈoʊ.pən ʌp/◆phrasal verb
to make something accessible or available
The store opens up at 9 AM every morning.
The store becomes accessible to customers at 9 AM every morning.
general
to make something accessible or available
She opened up her heart to him.
She shared her feelings and emotions with him.
The company opened up new opportunities for employees.
The company created new chances for employees.
This phrasal verb can be used both literally and figuratively.
informal
to begin to talk about personal feelings or experiences
He finally opened up about his past.
He started talking about his past experiences.
This usage is often used in emotional or personal contexts.
Collocations
open up to someoneto share personal feelings with someoneopen up a businessto start a new business
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Literal vs. Figurative Use
Remember that 'open up' can be used both literally (e.g., opening a door) and figuratively (e.g., opening up about feelings).
Gold Rule
Context Matters
Always consider the context when using 'open up' to determine whether it is being used literally or figuratively.
Word Origin
The phrase 'open up' comes from the combination of the verb 'open' and the adverb 'up', which together indicate making something accessible or available.
Usage Notes
The phrasal verb 'open up' can be used in both literal and figurative contexts. In literal contexts, it refers to making something physically accessible, such as a store or a door. In figurative contexts, it often refers to sharing personal feelings or experiences.
Word Breakdown
open
to make something accessible
verbup
indicates the action of making something available or accessible
adverbEnglish Dictionary