open\ the\ floodgates

open\ the\ floodgates
v. phr.
To let loose an outburst of human activity or emotion.

It would open the floodgates of anger and discontent if the university raised tuition too soon.


Словарь американских идиом. — СПб., Изд-во "Лань". . 1997.

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  • open the floodgates — Ⅰ. open the floodgates (to sb/sth) ► to make a lot of people do something by removing a rule that stopped it being possible before, especially when you do not want this to happen: »Banks feared the legal action could open the floodgates for… …   Financial and business terms

  • open the floodgates to sb — Ⅰ. open the floodgates (to sb/sth) ► to make a lot of people do something by removing a rule that stopped it being possible before, especially when you do not want this to happen: »Banks feared the legal action could open the floodgates for… …   Financial and business terms

  • open the floodgates — To remove all restrictions or controls • • • Main Entry: ↑flood * * * open the floodgates phrase to suddenly make it possible or easier for a lot of things to happen Political reforms have opened the floodgates to foreign investment. Thesaurus:… …   Useful english dictionary

  • open the floodgates — If you open the floodgates, you make something possible to happen that had been difficult, illegal or impossible …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • open the floodgates —    If someone or something opens the floodgates, they release something that had previously been held under control.     It is feared that easing price controls will open the floodgates to inflation …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • open the floodgates — if an action or a decision opens the floodgates, it allows something to happen a lot or allows many people to do something that was not previously allowed. If they win their case it could open the floodgates to others with similar compensation… …   New idioms dictionary

  • open the floodgates — {v. phr.} To let loose an outburst of human activity or emotion. * /It would open the floodgates of anger and discontent if the university raised tuition too soon./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • open the floodgates — {v. phr.} To let loose an outburst of human activity or emotion. * /It would open the floodgates of anger and discontent if the university raised tuition too soon./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • open the floodgates to sb/sth — Ⅰ. open the floodgates (to sb/sth) ► to make a lot of people do something by removing a rule that stopped it being possible before, especially when you do not want this to happen: »Banks feared the legal action could open the floodgates for… …   Financial and business terms

  • open the floodgates to sth — Ⅰ. open the floodgates (to sb/sth) ► to make a lot of people do something by removing a rule that stopped it being possible before, especially when you do not want this to happen: »Banks feared the legal action could open the floodgates for… …   Financial and business terms

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