Meaning trap
open up
expand opportunities
To create or increase new possibilities, opportunities, or areas for development, especially in a figurative or abstract sense (e.g. markets, options, perspectives).
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To create or increase new possibilities, opportunities, or areas for development, especially in a figurative or abstract sense (e.g. markets, options, perspectives).
'open up' also has the more basic meaning 'talk honestly'; this is the advanced sense.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- The new trade agreement is expected to open up significant opportunities for local exporters.business
- Implementing renewable energy technologies could open up new avenues for economic growth in developing countries.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: open up (new) opportunities/possibilities/markets/avenues (for someone/something)
WrongIt opened up me new opportunities.
RightIt opened up new opportunities for me.
Put the beneficiary with 'for': 'open up opportunities FOR me'.
Patternopen up (new) opportunities/possibilities/markets/avenues (for someone/something)
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Open up' (often 'open doors') is the natural way to talk about new opportunities; the formal version is dry.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
open up + opportunitynew doorsopportunitiespossibilitiesa whole new world
Don't confuse it
Unlike the B1 sense ('make access possible'), this sense is figurative and refers to the expansion of abstract opportunities, not physical spaces. It is also distinct from the B2 sense ('talk honestly'), which relates to personal communication.
Related
- open up (talk honestly) — 'open up' also has the more basic meaning 'talk honestly'; this is the advanced sense.