Pronunciation

• Audio (US):

  (file)

  Category:English terms with audio pronunciation#OPENUP

Verb

open up (third-person singular simple present opens up, present participle opening up, simple past and past participle opened up)Category:English lemmas#OPENUPCategory:English verbs#OPENUPCategory:English phrasal verbs#OPENUPCategory:English phrasal verbs formed with %22up%22#OPENUPCategory:English multiword terms#OPENUPCategory:English entries with incorrect language header#OPENUPCategory:Pages with entries#OPEN%20UPCategory:Pages with 1 entry#OPEN%20UP

1. (ambitransitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#OPENUPCategory:English intransitive verbs#OPENUP) To open.

   Some vacancies have opened up due to retirements.Category:English terms with usage examples#OPENUP

   Open up the door!Category:English terms with usage examples#OPENUP

   The executive pay gap is opening up again.Category:English terms with usage examples#OPENUP

   • 2011 February 1, Phil McNulty, “Arsenal 2 - 1 Everton”, in BBC‎:

     Wilshire then opened up Everton's defence, but Van Persie lifted his finish over the onrushing Howard and also over the bar.

     Category:English terms with quotations#OPENUP

2. (ambitransitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#OPENUPCategory:English intransitive verbs#OPENUP) To widen.

   The corridor gradually opened up into a triangular room.Category:English terms with usage examples#OPENUP

   • 1958 July, R. K. Kirkland, “Into the Mountains on the Festiniog Railway”, in Railway Magazine, page 453:

     Much as one appreciates the beauty of these woodlands, it was good to learn that some discreet tree-felling may open up the view still further.

     Category:English terms with quotations#OPENUP

3. (transitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#OPENUP) To bring up (a topic etc.).
   • 1914, Ernest Bramah, Max Carrados:

     Mr Hollyer opens up three excellent reasons why this man might wish to dispose of his wife. If we accept the suggestion of poisoning—though we have only a jealous woman's suspicion for it—we add to the wish the determination.

     Category:English terms with quotations#OPENUP

     Category:Quotation templates to be cleaned
4. (ambitransitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#OPENUPCategory:English intransitive verbs#OPENUP) To reveal (oneself); to share personal information about oneself; to become communicative.

   After three hours of questioning, he finally opened up.Category:English terms with usage examples#OPENUP

5. (intransitiveCategory:English intransitive verbs#OPENUP) To commence firing weapons.

   As the convoy entered the pass, we opened up on them with everything we had.Category:English terms with usage examples#OPENUP

6. (intransitiveCategory:English intransitive verbs#OPENUP, figuratively, of the sky) To rain.

   The sky has really opened up. I've never seen this much rain!Category:English terms with usage examples#OPENUP

7. (intransitiveCategory:English intransitive verbs#OPENUP) To begin running, driving, travelling, etc., at maximum (or faster) speed.
   • 1934, Henry G. Lamond, An Aviary on the Plains, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 211:

     The pigeon is moving as before with unhurried haste. [...] But it must be all out. If it wasn't, then it would open up and get away from that shadow of death behind it.

     Category:English terms with quotations#OPENUP

   • 1957 August, Cecil J. Allen, “British Locomotive Practice and Performance”, in Railway Magazine, page 568:

     Then we simply crawled onwards to Tebay, and not until well on to the 1 in 75 did the driver open up; the result was no greater drop than from 57 at Tebay to a sustained 40 m.p.h. up the last mile to Shap Summit.

     Category:English terms with quotations#OPENUP

8. (intransitiveCategory:English intransitive verbs#OPENUP, theaterCategory:en:Theater#OPENUP) Synonym of cheat out (“to face or turn toward the audience more than would be natural”).
   • 2015, Robert Barton, Acting: Onstage and Off, page 184:

     In stage acting, we are frequently asked to cheat out to the audience by opening up our body positions so that we are something halfway between facing them and our partner.

     Category:English terms with quotations#OPENUP

     Category:Quotation templates to be cleaned
9. (intransitiveCategory:English intransitive verbs#OPENUP, wineCategory:en:Wine#OPENUP) Of wine: to develop its full flavor a short time after being uncorked and poured.

Anagrams

• unpope