open upverb

• 1

  To open.

  • Some vacancies have opened up due to retirements.
  • Open up the door!
• 2

  To widen.

  • The corridor gradually opened up into a triangular room.
  • 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.
• 3

  To bring up (a topic etc.).

  • 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.
• 4

  To reveal (oneself); to share personal information about oneself; to become communicative.

  • After three hours of questioning, he finally opened up.
• 5

  To commence a literal or figurative battery of attacks.

  • As the convoy entered the pass, we opened up on them with everything we had.
• 6

  To commence a literal or figurative battery of attacks.

  • The sky has really opened up. I've never seen this much rain!
• 7

  To commence a literal or figurative battery of attacks.

  • As soon as she saw him, she just opened up!
• 8

  To begin running, driving, travelling, etc., at maximum (or faster) speed.

  • 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.
  • 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.