1 A2 neutral
To open a door, container, or building, especially to allow access.
"Can you open up the back door? I'm carrying too many bags."
separable
open up
A2 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To open something (a door, shop, conversation) or to begin sharing one's thoughts and feelings more freely.
In plain English
To open something — or to start talking honestly about what you feel.
What does "open up" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To start a business for the day or to establish a new business or market.
"The café opens up at seven every morning."
separable
3 B1 idiomatic neutral
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)
4 B1 idiomatic neutral
To create or make available new opportunities, possibilities, or areas for development.
"The new trade agreement opens up exciting possibilities for small businesses."
separable
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "open up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
shop door wound opportunity feelings conversation market
How to conjugate "open up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
open up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
opens up
he/she/it
Past simple
opened up
yesterday
Past participle
opened up
have + pp
-ing form
opening up
continuous
Hear "open up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "open up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.