open someone up
Fig. to perform a surgical operation requiring a major incision on someone. The doctor had to open George up to find out what was wrong. They opened up George, seeking the cause of his illness.
open something up
1. Lit. to unwrap something; to open something. Yes, Iwantto open my presents up. Ican't wait to open up my presents. Open up this door!
2. Fig. to begin examining or discussing something. Do you really want to open it up now? Now is the time to open up the question of taxes.
3. . Fig. to reveal the possibilities of something; to reveal an opportunity. Your letter opened new possibilities up. Your comments opened up a whole new train of thought.
4. Fig. to start the use of something, such as land, a building, a business, etc. They opened the coastal lands up to resort development. We opened up a new store last March.
5. Fig. to make a vehicle go as fast as possible. (As in opening up the throttle.) We took the new car out on the highway and opened it up. I've never really opened up this truck. I don't know how fast it'll go.
6. to make something less congested. They opened the yard up by cutting out a lot of old shrubbery. We opened up the room by taking the piano out.
open something up (to someone)
to make something available to someone; to permit someone to join something or participate in something. We intend to open the club up to everyone. We will open up our books to the auditors.
open up
1. Lit. open your door; open your mouth. (Usually Open up!) I want in. Open up! Open up! This is the police.
2. Fig. to become available. A new job is opening up at my office. Let me know if any other opportunities open up.
3. Fig. to go as fast as possible. (As in opening up the throttle.) I can't get this car to open up. Must be something wrong with the engine. Faster, Tom! Open up! Let's go!
4. to become clear, uncluttered, or open. As we drove along, the forest opened up, and we entered into a grassy plain. The sky opened up, and the sun shone.
open up
(about someone or something) (with someone) and open up (on someone or something) (with someone) to speak freely about someone or something; to speak a great deal about someone or something. After a while, he began to open up about his disagreements. He opened up with us about the accident. She opened up on Fred with Alice.
open up
(on someone, something, or an animal) to fire a gun or other weapon at someone, something, or an animal. The sergeant told the soldiers to open up on the enemy position. "Okay, you guys," shouted the sergeant. "Open up!"
open up
(to someone) and open up (with someone) to tell [everything] to someone; to confess to someone. If she would only open up to me, perhaps I could help her. She just won't open up. Everything is "private."
open up
(with someone) Go to open up (to someone).
open up
1. Spread out, unfold, as in A green valley opened up before us. [Early 1800s]
2. Begin operation, as in The new store opens up next month. [Late 1700s]
3. Begin firing, begin attacking, as in
The artillery opened up at dawn, or, figuratively,
The speaker opened up fiercely on the opposition. [1930s] Also see
open fire.
4. Speak freely and candidly, as in At last the witness opened up and told what happened. " Colloquial; c. 1920]
5. Make an opening by cutting, as in The surgeon opened up the patient's chest.
6. Become available or accessible, as in With new markets opening up all the time we hope to see our revenues increase dramatically. [Mid-1800s]
7. Increase the speed of a vehicle, as in Let's see how fast the car will go if you open it up. [Colloquial; c. 1920]
8. Open the door, let me (or us) in, as in Open up! This is the police. [Mid-1900s] Note that in all of these usages except def. 4 and 7, up serves as an intensifier, that is, it emphasizes the verb open.
open up
v.1. To release something from a closed or fastened position: Please open up the cabinet and take out the plates. We opened the trunk up and found some old clothing.
2. To remove obstructions from something; clear something: The change in weather opened up my sinuses. The cancellation of that meeting opened my schedule up.
3. To become free from obstruction: After the debris was removed from the road, the traffic opened up.
4. To spread out; unfold: A green valley opened up before us.
5. To begin operation, as a business or office: The new store opens up next month.
6. To begin firing: The artillery opened up at dawn.
7. To speak freely and candidly: At last the frightened witness opened up and told the truth.
8. To make an opening in something or someone by cutting: The surgeon opened up the patient's chest.
9. To make something available or accessible: The new CEO plans to open up markets overseas. The snow opens the possibility up of a good ski season.
10. To accelerate. Used of a motor vehicle: The sports car opened up and roared down the road.