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Phrase Meanings » open up
What does "open up" mean?
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Spread out, unfold, as in A green valley opened up before us. [Early 1800s]
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Begin operation, as in The new store opens up next month. [Late 1700s]
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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.
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Speak freely and candidly, as in At last the witness opened up and told what happened. “ Colloquial; c. 1920]
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Make an opening by cutting, as in The surgeon opened up the patient's chest.
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Become available or accessible, as in With new markets opening up all the time we hope to see our revenues increase dramatically. [Mid-1800s]
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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]
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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.
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