to open the floodgates
01
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
When she heard the news of her beloved pet's passing, she could n't hold back her tears and opened the floodgates of her grief.
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.
