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open the floodgates
(redirected from floodgate)

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Wikipedia 0.03 sec.
open the floodgates
if an action or a decision opens the floodgates, it allows something to happen a lot or allows many people to do something that was not previously allowed. If they win their case it could open the floodgates to others with similar compensation claims. (often + to)
See also: open


open the floodgates
to make it possible for something to happen. The court's decision could open the floodgates for large numbers of other cases involving war crimes.
Usage notes: usually used to describe activities that had been difficult or illegal but which are now easier or allowed and expected to be done by many
Etymology: based on the literal meaning of open the floodgates (= to allow water that had been held back to flow freely)
See also: open

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