Society
open the floodgates
allow something to spread uncontrollably
If something opens the floodgates, it allows a large amount of something to happen or spread without much control.
Hear it in real life
Should we make an exception this time?
I'm worried it could open the floodgates to more requests.
If we give one customer a refund, we might open the floodgates to similar demands.
The mistake everyone makes
Not: This could open the floodgates ‸ complaints.
Say: This could open the floodgates to complaints.
Use “to” or “for” before the thing that may arrive or happen in large numbers.
Build it
How it fits in a sentence.
open the floodgates to something; open the floodgates for something
Your turn: say it out loud
If we give one customer a refund, we might open the floodgates to similar demands.
Say it out loud two or three times, until it feels like yours.
open the floodgates
allow something to spread uncontrollably
“If we give one customer a refund, we might open the floodgates to similar demands.”
heytardy
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