open out

Something unfolds, spreads, or becomes wider, or you make it do this.

• Open out the folded paper.
• The valley opened out ahead of us.
• She opened out the blanket on the grass.

How to use it: open something out (She opened the folded map out on the table.); open out into something (The narrow path opens out into a wide meadow.)

Similar words: unfold, spread out, widen

Opposites: fold up

Common phrases: open out something, open something out

To make a place easier to reach or give people more choices.

• The railway opened out the region for tourism.
• Better transport can open out new opportunities.
• The project opened out the market to smaller businesses.

How to use it: open out something for something (New roads will open out the valley for trade.)

Similar words: open up

Common phrases: open out opportunities, open out a region

To let more air into an engine so it produces more power.

• He opened out the throttle.
• The driver opened out the engine on the straight.
• Open out the throttle slowly as the engine warms.

Similar words: open up

Common phrases: open out the throttle, open out an engine