open up

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Explanation of "Open Up"

Definition: "Open up" is a phrasal verb in English that can mean several things, depending on the context. Here are the main meanings:

Usage Instructions:

• Use "open up" when you want to describe the act of sharing feelings or starting a conversation.
• Use it to talk about physically opening something or starting a business.
• Be aware that the context will help determine the meaning.

Examples:

1. Talking Freely:

   • "After a few minutes, she decided to open up about her worries."

2. Physical Opening:

   • "Can you open up the window? It’s too hot in here."

3. Starting a Business:

   • "The couple plans to open up a bakery next month."

4. Making Opportunities Available:

   • "Studying abroad can open up new opportunities for your career."

Advanced Usage:

In more complex conversations, "open up" can also refer to emotional or metaphorical openings. For example, a person might say, "Traveling has opened up my mind to new cultures and ideas."

Word Variants:

• Open (verb): To physically or metaphorically make something accessible.
• Opened (past tense of open): Indicates that something has been opened.
• Opening (noun): The action or process of making something open.

Different Meanings:

1. Physical: To make something accessible (like a door).
2. Emotional: To share thoughts or feelings.
3. Business: To start a new venture.
4. Opportunities: To create new possibilities.

Synonyms:

• Reveal: To make known or show something.
• Uncover: To make something visible or known.
• Commence: To begin or start something.
• Initiate: To start or set something in motion.

Related Idioms:

• "Open the floodgates": To allow a lot of something (like emotions or information) to come out.
• "Open Pandora's box": To start something that may lead to many problems or complications.

Phrasal Verbs:

• "Open up to someone": To share personal feelings with someone.
• "Open up about": To discuss a specific topic openly.

Academic

Verb

1. talk freely and without inhibition
2. become open
   • The door opened
3. start to operate or function or cause to start operating or functioning
   • open a business
4. open up an area or prepare a way
   • She pioneered a graduate program for women students
5. make available
   • This opens up new possibilities
6. become available
   • an opportunity opened up
7. cause to open or to become open
   • Mary opened the car door

Synonyms

• open
• pioneer