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Open the floodgates

Idiomatic Phrase
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Open the floodgates|Idiomatic Phrase|To release a large, uncontrollable flow of something, such as emotions, information, or people; suggests removing barriers that previously contained pressure.

Detailed Definition
Open the floodgates means to release a powerful, uncontrolled flow of emotion, speech, memory, people, events, or consequences. In poetry, the idiom is rich because water suggests force, cleansing, destruction, and inevitability. A confession may open the floodgates of grief; a small reform may unleash social change; one memory may call forth many. The phrase is useful for turning repression into release. Poets can use it to show how containment fails when pressure has gathered too long.
Example
Example in poetry:
A grief poem might say one remembered song opened the floodgates and tears came like winter rain; In political verse, one brave speech can open the floodgates of protest; The phrase open the floodgates means to release a powerful rush of emotion, speech, or action; A poet can use it for tears, memory, anger, or change.
Additional Notes
Open the floodgates means release a large, often uncontrollable flow of emotion, speech, memory, people, or events. In poetry, it pairs naturally with tears, rivers, crowds, confession, and historical upheaval. The phrase is especially useful when restraint gives way to excess. Students should ask whether the release is cleansing, destructive, overdue, or frightening. It can mark the moment when hidden pressure can no longer be contained.
Also Known As
release
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