open

o|pen1 [ `oupən ] adjective ***

▸ 1 when public can visit

▸ 2 when you can see inside

▸ 3 not covered/enclosed

▸ 4 not blocked

▸ 5 not hidden/secret

▸ 6 anyone can see/join

▸ 7 considering suggestions

▸ 8 when something can be done

▸ 9 possible

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) if a store, restaurant, etc. is open, people are working there and the public can use or visit it:

Is the mall open until midnight?

There's a bar that stays open all night.

the campaign to keep the hospital open

open for business: We are open for business from Monday to Friday.

open to the public: The house is open to the public for three weeks each year.

─ opposite CLOSED, SHUT

2. ) something that is open has no cover or has its edges separated so that you can see or take out what is inside:

A book lay open on the table.

She stuffed the photographs into an open drawer.

There's a bottle of wine open if you want some.

tear/pull/rip something open: The kids were ripping open their Christmas presents.

a ) in a position that allows someone or something to pass through:

The bedroom door was slightly open.

wide open: Someone has left the gate wide open.

throw/pull/fling something open: We threw open all the windows to let some fresh air in.

b ) used about a part of someone's body:

He was asleep with his mouth open.

wide open: She lay still, eyes wide open, listening intently.

3. ) an open space or area is not covered or enclosed, or does not have many buildings, trees, etc. in or on it:

They had to escape across open ground.

The top deck of the bus is open.

open spaces: He loved the wide open spaces of the western states.

4. ) if a road or passage is open, it is possible for things to move from one end to the other:

Many roads are blocked by snow but Snake Pass is still open.

a ) used about ways of sending messages to someone:

The lines are open now for you to call in with your donations.

It's important to keep the channels of communication open with your ex-wife.

5. ) not hidden or secret:

Their relationship has deteriorated to the point of open hostility.

a ) used about someone who is honest and does not keep things secret:

Everyone in the group was very friendly and open.

The President promised an open dialog.

be open about something: He has always been open about his drinking problem.

6. ) available for anyone to take part in or see:

A CEO will be appointed by open competition.

open to: The meeting is open to the public.

Most government files from the period are now open to scrutiny.

7. ) willing to consider many different possibilities:

be open to something: I have some ideas about where to go, but I'm open to suggestions.

Even at the age of 80, she is always open to new experiences.

keep an open mind: The police are keeping an open mind about the cause of her disappearance.

a ) used for describing a situation that has at least two possible results:

His contract keeps open the possibility that he might return to the series.

leave something open: Should we leave it open for now, and decide at the meeting?

wide open: The election is still wide open.

8. ) if something is open to criticism, doubt, etc., it is possible or reasonable to criticize it, doubt it, etc.:

open to: The new tax was open to two serious criticisms.

whether or not he intended this outcome, is open to question

wide open: The system is wide open to abuse.

9. ) open to if something is open to you, it is possible for you to do it:

Taking him to court was the only option left open to me.

in open court

in a court of law where the public and reporters are allowed to be present:

Her diaries were read out in open court.

an open book

something or someone that is easy to know about because nothing is kept secret:

Her life is an open book.

the open road

any road that you can drive on for a long time without reaching a town

throw something open

to make something available for everyone to see or take part in:

Let's throw the discussion open to the audience.

welcome/receive someone with open arms

to be very happy to see someone or let them stay with you:

The Bartons and their guests were welcomed with open arms.

open

o|pen 2 [ `oupən ] verb ***

▸ 1 move something to see inside

▸ 2 make door etc. not shut

▸ 3 move part of body

▸ 4 make available to public

▸ 5 first become available

▸ 6 begin

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) transitive to separate the edges of something or take off its cover so that you can see or remove what is inside:

She opened her purse and took out a lipstick.

Can you open this jar of pickles?

Open your books to page 25.

a ) intransitive if something such as a flower opens, it moves into its widest position and you can see its full shape:

Her parachute failed to open.

2. ) transitive to move a door or window into a position that allows people or things to pass through:

Do you mind if I open a window?

The gates at the zoo are opened at 8:45.

a ) intransitive if something such as a door opens, it moves into a position that allows people or things to pass through:

The elevator doors opened and two men walked out.

open onto/into something: The kitchen door opens onto a patio.

3. ) intransitive or transitive to move your arms or legs wide apart:

She opened her arms to hug me.

a ) to move your lips and teeth apart so that your mouth is not closed:

Open your mouth and let me look at your teeth.

b ) to move your EYELIDS apart so that your eyes are not closed:

I opened my eyes and looked around me.

c ) to make your fingers straight so that your hand is not closed

4. ) intransitive or transitive if a store, public building, etc. opens at a particular time, or if someone opens it, it regularly becomes available for people to visit or use at that time:

The library doesn't open until noon today.

I'm calling to ask when you open today.

5. ) open or open up intransitive or transitive if a new business, building, etc. opens, or if someone opens it, it becomes available for people to use for the first time:

They decided to move to Spain and open a bar.

The college first opened in the 1960s.

a ) intransitive or transitive if something that has been private or secret opens, or if someone opens it to people, it becomes available for people to visit, see, or take part in:

open something to someone: There are plans to open the Navy base to the public.

open something to competition/inspection/scrutiny: The telecommunications market has been opened up to competition.

open your doors/gates to someone: The farmer opens his gates to visitors during the lambing season.

b ) intransitive if a movie or play opens, it starts being shown to the public:

Her new play has just opened on Broadway.

c ) intransitive or transitive if a road, telephone line, or other method of communication opens, or if someone opens it, it becomes available for people to use:

We are opening a hotline for questions about the product.

d ) transitive if a famous person opens a store or public building, they appear there to say that it is officially available for people to use or visit:

The actors are opening the new restaurant on Saturday.

6. ) intransitive to begin a speech:

open with: He opened with a quotation from Shakespeare.

a ) transitive to begin something such as a discussion or trial:

She opened the debate by summarizing her party's position.

open an investigation/inquiry/inquest: The police have opened an investigation into his business affairs.

b ) transitive to start an account with a bank:

You only need $1 to open an account with us.

c ) intransitive when a period of time opens, it begins:

The year opened well for the company.

The trout fishing season opened last week.

open the door/way

to make it possible for something to happen:

The changes have opened the way to free elections in the country.

open doors

to give someone opportunities:

His marriage has certainly opened doors for him in Hollywood.

open someone's eyes

to make someone realize the truth about something:

It opened my eyes to what was really going on between them.

Open your eyes! Can't you see he's lying?

open fire

to start shooting a gun:

Troops opened fire on the crowd.

open your heart

1. ) to talk very honestly about your personal feelings

2. ) to behave in a way that shows you are very generous

open someone's mind to something

to make someone more willing to consider something:

He tried to open Churchill's mind to the need for new policies.

,open `out phrasal verb intransitive

if a path or passage opens out, it becomes wider at the end:

open out into: The alleyway opened out into a courtyard behind the houses.

,open `up phrasal verb

1. ) intransitive or transitive to open a locked door, container, or building:

He opens up the drugstore every morning.

Open up! This is the police!

2. ) intransitive to talk more about your personal feelings and experiences:

open up to: It's taken a few months, but Katy is now starting to open up to me.

3. ) intransitive or transitive if something opens up or you open it up, it opens from a folded position so that you can see its shape:

Look, the rose buds are beginning to open up.

I opened up a folding chair for my grandmother.

4. ) intransitive or transitive if a discussion opens up or you open it up, it becomes more general or starts to include more subjects:

He tried to open up the conversation to include the new people in the group.

5. ) intransitive or transitive to make it easier to travel or do business in a country:

The building of canals opened up the interior of the country.

open up to: China is opening up to foreign investment.

6. ) intransitive or transitive to create a new opportunity or possibility:

Going freelance opens up all sorts of possibilities to you.

New markets are opening up every day.

7. ) intransitive or transitive to create a difference between the people or groups involved in something:

The issue of immigration has opened up deep divisions within the party.

The Braves have opened up a three game lead over the second-place team.

8. ) intransitive to start shooting a gun:

He opened up on the crowd with an automatic rifle.

9. ) transitive open someone up INFORMAL to cut into someone's body for medical reasons:

When they opened her up they found a huge tumor.

10. ) intransitive or transitive same as OPEN 2 5:

Donald wants to retire and open up a bookstore.