Open the Floodgates

Have you seen those satisfying videos?  For example, there are some pressure-washing videos that are very satisfying to watch.  Well, lately I have been watching some river break videos and it is given me a lot of pleasure and satisfaction.  Let me explain:

In some areas, rivers flow into the ocean.  A large amount of sand builds up between the river and the ocean.  It creates a sand dam that blocks the river.  The river collects water in the lagoon.  Eventually this dam would break naturally, but sometimes it rises so high that it starts to flood houses.  So, people open the dam.  It starts very slow and then becomes a raging river.  Sometimes people can even surf in this dam break (https://youtu.be/KFzqike1Z0A).

In much the same way, if a human made dam fills too much the dam will also break.  So, dams have a built-in gate that allows the dam to release water.  It is also a spectacular sight.  Opening the floodgates has been turned into an idiom.  It has two meanings.

The first meaning is to remove barriers.  When these barriers or restrictions are removed, it allows for a lot of something to get through.  In a metaphoric sense, opening the floodgates makes it possible for something to happen.  The second meaning is to cry a lot.  The second meaning is not as common.

Example:  When the country made a law that allowed more refugees into the country, it opened the floodgates for mass immigration. 

Example:  After I broke up with her the floodgates opened. 

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