open the floodgates
English
editEtymology
editLiterally, to allow floodwater that had been held back to flow freely
Pronunciation
editAudio (General Australian): (file)
Verb
editopen the floodgates (third-person singular simple present opens the floodgates, present participle opening the floodgates, simple past and past participle opened the floodgates)
- (idiomatic) To allow some action to proceed more swiftly or to a greater extent