floodgate

American  

[fluhd-geyt] / ˈflʌdˌgeɪt /

noun

1. Civil Engineering. a gate designed to regulate the flow of water.

2. anything serving to control the indiscriminate flow or passage of something.

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floodgate British  

/ ˈflʌdˌɡeɪt /

noun

1. Also called: head gate.   water gate.  a gate in a sluice that is used to control the flow of water See also sluicegate

2. (often plural) a control or barrier against an outpouring or flow

   to open the floodgates to immigration

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Etymology

Origin of floodgate

Middle English word dating back to 1175–1225; flood, gate ¹

Example Sentences

They said the 5th Circuit’s ruling could “open the floodgates of litigation.”

From Los Angeles Times

“At some point, the IPO floodgates are really going to open,” Kevin Moss, portfolio manager with The Private Shares Fund, told Barron’s.

From Barron's

But the one scent that opens the floodgates of nostalgia is cardamom.

From Salon

If the court rules for Hawaii, “the floodgates would open,” Deputy Solicitor General Sarah Harris told the court Tuesday.

From The Wall Street Journal

That would open the floodgates for every challenge by a player on a caution to be looked at.

From BBC