open up
To open something — or to start talking honestly about what you feel.
Meanings
To open a door, container, or building, especially to allow access.
"Can you open up the back door? I'm carrying too many bags."
To start a business for the day or to establish a new business or market.
"The café opens up at seven every morning."
To share one's thoughts, feelings, or personal experiences more honestly and freely.
"It was the first time he had opened up about his depression."
""I didn't open up to many people about how I was really feeling.""
— Prince Harry, various interviews (widely reported, e.g. BBC, 2017)
To create or make available new opportunities, possibilities, or areas for development.
"The new trade agreement opens up exciting possibilities for small businesses."
One of the most versatile phrasal verbs in English. Covers physical opening, business opening, emotional disclosure, and creating new possibilities. The emotional sense is very common in therapy and self-help language.
Commonly used with
Forms
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