open the floodgates en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
Literally, to allow floodwater that had been held back to flow freely.
Meanings
-
(idiomatic) To allow some action to proceed more swiftly or to a greater extent.
Where we open up the floodgates, freedom reigns supreme. Fire on the hemisphere below.
1987 September 1, R.E.M., “Welcome to the Occupation”, in Document:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| opens the floodgates | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| opening the floodgates | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| opened the floodgates | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| opened the floodgates | Tense=Past | lexicographic |