WordGarden.iofloodgate
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /flˈʌdɡeɪt/
US
- /ˈflədˌɡeɪt/
Meanings
Noun
a gate or barrier used to control the flow of water
a restraint whose removal allows a sudden large outpouring
Beyond the definition
Imagine a dam holding back a huge lake of water. A floodgate is the gate in that dam. Open it, and a strong rush pours through. In a figurative sense, "floodgate" means something that, once opened, allows a sudden and often overwhelming flow of things like emotions, questions, information, or even people.
It's not just about water. You can talk about opening the floodgates to discussion after a long silence, or opening the floodgates of memory when a familiar smell brings the past back. The image suggests a strong release that is hard to control once it begins. You might say a politician "opened the floodgates" to criticism with a controversial statement.
The term "floodgate" originally refers to a gate controlling the flow of water, typically in a dam or levee system. Its primary purpose is to regulate and release large volumes of water, often rapidly and powerfully. Think of it as the barrier between contained potential energy and unleashed force.
However, "floodgate" has become widely used metaphorically to describe anything that, when opened or triggered, results in a sudden and overwhelming surge of something else. This could be an emotional release – "Opening up about her childhood trauma opened the floodgates of grief" – or a cascade of events – "The leaked document opened the floodgates to further investigations."
It implies a point of no return; once the "floodgate" is open, it's difficult, if not impossible, to stop the flow. It often carries a sense of being overwhelmed or losing control. For example: "His apology seemed to open the floodgates for others to come forward with their complaints."
The image evokes power and potential danger – like a real flood, an unleashed "floodgate" can be both exhilarating and destructive. So when you hear about opening the floodgates, picture that dam bursting open, and understand it signifies a powerful, unstoppable release of something significant.
Examples
- 1
Water control
After days of heavy rain, the dam operators opened the floodgates to release some of the water.
- 2
Complaints
The first complaint opened the floodgates, and soon hundreds of others followed.
- Phraseopen the floodgates
cause many similar things to happen at once
- 3
Foreign investment
The new law could open the floodgates for more foreign investment.
- Patternopen the floodgates for + thing
make it possible for a lot of it to come in
- 4
Lawsuits
Critics said the decision would open the floodgates to copycat lawsuits.
- Patternopen the floodgates to + thing
allow a lot of it to happen next
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Strong emotions
When she heard the song again, the floodgates opened and she started crying.
- Phrasethe floodgates opened
strong feelings suddenly came out
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- floodgatenoun
Forms
- floodgatespluralnoun