ˈoʊpən ʌp
neutral
beginner
- Base verb:
- open
- Particle:
- up
- Separable:
- Yes
What does "open up" mean?
- To become more willing to talk or share feelings
- To make something accessible
- To start a business
Examples
- He finally opened up about his problems.
- The new highway opened up the region.
- She opened up a café downtown.
- It takes time for him to open up.
- The market is opening up to foreign investors.
How to use it
Common for emotional sharing ('open up to someone') and business expansion.
Word order
Can be separable when opening something: 'open the box up'
Similar expressions
share
reveal
start
expand
Opposites
close up
shut down
be secretive
Related phrasal verbs
- get up
To rise from bed after sleeping
- turn up
To increase the volume, heat, or intensity of something
- give up
To stop trying to do something, often because it is too difficult
- bring up
To mention or introduce a topic in conversation
- go up
To increase in price, level, or amount
- come up
To be mentioned or discussed
Use it in a practice answer
Try "open up" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.