open the floodgates
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Another barrier was broken, but it didn’t open the floodgates.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026
If that was meant to open the floodgates, Ireland were sorely mistaken as Japan controlled the rest of the half.
From Barron's • Nov. 8, 2025
The problem, she said, is that they’re difficult for states to police for validity and “can really open the floodgates to vastly diminished vaccination rates.”
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 10, 2025
Artists and critics predicted last year Cowboy Carter could "open the floodgates" for country music fans and Spotify credits "viral tracks" from 2024 with the sudden uptick in streams.
From BBC • Apr. 19, 2025
When we were a block away from Calhoun Place, a barrage of thunder cracked open the floodgates to the sky.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
