open the floodgates

idiom

: 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.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

The settlement between Fox News and Dominion Voting Systems could open the floodgates for other media companies to be punished for spreading lies, Dominion CEO John Poulos said Wednesday. —Justin Klawans, The Week, 19 Apr. 2023

Kacsmaryk’s decision could undermine the entire drug approval process in the U.S. and open the floodgates for legal challenges to vaccines or other essential medications disputed by certain groups, legal experts said. —Aria Bendix, NBC News, 12 Apr. 2023

But several scholars and lawmakers said the museum’s stance stemmed from a greater concern: that transparency could open the floodgates for restitution claims. —Constant Méheut, New York Times, 28 Nov. 2022

Authorities’ decision to open the floodgates to relieve pressure on the reservoirs submerged half the city. —Bill Spindle, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2022

The goal didn’t exactly open the floodgates, but the Mustangs pushed the lead to 3-0 with two goals in the first five minutes of the second quarter. —Randy Mcroberts, Baltimore Sun, 15 Sep. 2022

Earlier, Diamondbacks fans had to be wondering if third baseman Asdrubal Cabrera's fielding error in the top of the fourth inning would be the mistake that would open the floodgates for another opponent to put up a big inning and bring about Arizona's demise. —José M. Romero, The Arizona Republic, 18 June 2021

Earlier Monday, state Representative Jon Santiago, a Boston mayoral candidate, had urged the city to follow the state’s lead and open the floodgates on May 29. —BostonGlobe.com, 17 May 2021

Her tell-all promises to open the floodgates on palace gossip and not, like, discuss a potential Suits reunion. —Devon Ivie, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2021

See More