# open the floodgates

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/open-the-floodgates
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To allow some action to proceed more swiftly or to a greater extent.

## Examples

- One small mistake opened the floodgates for more problems.
- The government released the new report, which opened the floodgates for public criticism and many difficult questions.
- The sudden discovery of the hidden documents opened the floodgates, leading to a series of investigations that eventually exposed the entire scandal.

## Origin

The term refers literally to the act of allowing floodwater that had been held back to flow freely.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.