to open the floodgates
01
感情があふれ出す, 感情の爆発
to cause strong and overwhelming emotional reactions, often leading to a burst of tears, feelings, or memories
![to [open] the floodgates definition and meaning](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/42694/original/?type=jpeg "to [open] the floodgates definition and meaning")
idiom
informal
例
Seeing the old photographs opened the floodgates of her memories.
古い写真を見ると、思い出があふれ出した。
02
(of an action or decision) to allow for many possibilities, particularly those that were previously unavailable
例
The company's new policy to allow employees to work from home opened the floodgates for a more flexible and diverse workforce.
