to open the floodgates
01
情绪涌现, 情感爆发
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")
习语
非正式
例子
Seeing the old photographs opened the floodgates of her memories.
看到旧照片，她的回忆涌了上来。
02
(of an action or decision) to allow for many possibilities, particularly those that were previously unavailable
例子
The company's new policy to allow employees to work from home opened the floodgates for a more flexible and diverse workforce.
