open the floodgates

phrase

: to remove something serving to restrain an outburst

Many people fear that the court's latest ruling will open the floodgates for/to a host of new lawsuits.

Examples of open the floodgates in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That seemed to open the floodgates, as many more difference-making players ended up moving in the final hours. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026

Shortly after the game, the Dodgers acquired two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers, which could open the floodgates for more trades. — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026

However, that shot seemed to open the floodgates for the Aztecs, who opened the second half on a 10-0 run to force Presnell into an early timeout. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026

The dismantling of Section 2 would open the floodgates for widespread vote dilution by allowing primarily Southern state legislatures to redraw political districts, weakening the voting power of racial minorities. — Robert D. Bland, The Conversation, 3 Feb. 2026

Rhymes for open the floodgates

• macroinvertebrates
• abates
• annates
• awaits
• birthrates
• bookplates
• borates
• breastplates
• casemates
• chelates
• chromates
• classmates