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

Feigenbaum with the Reason Foundation said that automation of a major transit line such as in Los Angeles or Washington could open the floodgates for other cities to follow. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Whether exploring love, loss, grief, family, sacrifice, or the complicated paths people take toward forgiveness, certain books have the ability to open the floodgates. — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for open the floodgates

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