floodgates是什么意思？

floodgates

英[f'lʌdɡeɪts] 美[f'lʌdɡeɪts]

• n. （江河或湖泊的）防洪闸（门），（泄）水闸门( floodgate的名词复数 )；

例句

• Political changes in eastern Europe opened the floodgates to thousands of people who wished to emigrate. 东欧的政治剧变打开了移民的泄洪闸,成千上万的人急于移民他国。
• The discussion sessions allow people to open the floodgates to their deepest fears. 这些讨论会使人们尽情倾诉心中的恐惧.
• A decision against the cigarette companies could open the floodgates to many more lawsuits. 不利于烟草公司的裁决可能引发更多的官司。
• Would it not set a precedent? Would it not open the floodgates? 难道它不会成为先例吗？难道它不会引发更多类似的问题吗？
• A decision against the cigarette companies could open the floodgates to many more lawsuits... 不利于烟草公司的裁决可能引发更多的官司。

柯林斯高阶英汉双解学习词典释义

• PHRASE
  打开闸门;使…一发不可收拾
  If events open the floodgates to something, they make it possible for that thing to happen much more often or much more seriously than before.
  例句
  A decision against the cigarette companies could open the floodgates to many more lawsuits... 不利于烟草公司的裁决可能引发更多的官司。 Would it not set a precedent? Would it not open the floodgates? 难道它不会成为先例吗？难道它不会引发更多类似的问题吗？