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
例子
After years of keeping her pain bottled up, she finally confided in a trusted friend, and the floodgates of her sorrow burst open.
02
(of an action or decision) to allow for many possibilities, particularly those that were previously unavailable
例子
Lowering the interest rates on loans may open the floodgates for more people to invest in real estate.
