To open the floodgates refers to the act of initiating or allowing a sudden, overwhelming, or uncontrollable flow or release of something. This figurative expression harks back to the mechanism for controlling the release of water in a dam or canal using gates. When the gates are opened, the water is unleashed, surging forward with great force.
The phrase is often used in a metaphorical sense, to describe a situation or decision that leads to the unrestricted entry, arrival, or occurrence of a large and often chaotic volume of something. It implies a loss of control or the start of an unstoppable chain of events. For example, in the context of immigration, a government policy that relaxes border controls might be said to have opened the floodgates, resulting in a sudden influx of people.
Moreover, "opened the floodgates" can be employed to describe the release or eruption of emotions, ideas, opinions, or actions. In this sense, it conveys the idea of a sudden and overwhelming surge or outburst. For example, a controversial statement or event may open the floodgates of public debate or criticism, triggering a wide range of reactions.
Overall, the expression "opened the floodgates" indicates the initiation of an uncontrolled and substantial flow or release of something, capturing the notion of an overwhelming force that is unleashed or set into motion.
