open the floodgates 打开闸门（比喻引发大量事物）
close the floodgates 关闭闸门
burst the floodgates 决堤（比喻无法控制的爆发）
1. The opening of the trade agreements opened the floodgates to new foreign investment.
贸易协定的开放为新外国投资打开了大门。
2. Once he started talking about his childhood, the floodgates of emotion opened up.
一旦他开始谈论童年，情感的闸门就打开了。
3. Engineers are repairing the floodgates to prevent potential water damage.
工程师们正在修理防洪闸门以防止潜在的水灾损害。
A: Do you think this policy will have a big impact on the market?
A：你认为这项政策会对市场产生重大影响吗？
B: Yes, it might open the floodgates for new technology adoption.
B：是的，它可能会为新技术的普及打开闸门。
1) 洪水闸门：实际用于防洪的水闸结构。
2) 比喻义：比喻大量资源、信息或情感突然释放的渠道。
3) 金融术语：比喻资金的大量流入或流出。
1. [pl.] 洪水闸门；防洪闸
e.g.
The city upgraded its floodgates after the heavy rain.
大雨之后，城市升级了其防洪闸门。
2. [fig.] 大量释放；爆发（常与 open/burst 连用）
e.g.
The news opened the floodgates to criticism.
这则新闻引发了大量的批评。
noun
1. Gates used to control the flow of water in a river or canal, especially to prevent flooding.
2. A figure of speech referring to the release of a large quantity of something (e.g., money, information, feelings).
Synonym: sluice, barrier