No, olive oil does not expand when taken out of the refrigerator and brought to room temperature. In fact, it behaves quite differently from substances like water, which expands as it freezes and contracts as it melts. Olive oil, like most oils, does not solidify at typical refrigerator temperatures.
When you refrigerate olive oil, it may become cloudy or even solidify slightly, but this is a normal and reversible process. If you take the olive oil out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature, it will return to its liquid state without any expansion.
The cloudiness or solidification of olive oil in the refrigerator is due to the presence of saturated fats or waxes in some olive oils. This phenomenon is known as "olive oil chill haze." It does not affect the quality of the oil and is purely a cosmetic change. As the oil warms up to room temperature, it will become clear and liquid again.
It's essential to store olive oil in a cool, dark place, away from heat and light, to maintain its quality and prevent it from going rancid. Refrigeration is not necessary for most olive oils, as they can be stored at room temperature without any adverse effects. However, if you prefer to refrigerate your olive oil for extended periods, just allow it to return to room temperature before using it, and it will remain in its liquid state without expanding.