floodgate

noun/ˈflʌdˌɡeɪt/

Frequency rank: #19,720 most common English word

Meaning

a gate used to control the flow of water; often used figuratively to mean something that, when opened, releases a large amount of something previously held back.

Illustration for the English word “floodgate”

Example sentence

Lowering taxes opened floodgate that allowed money to flow freely into the economy.

Synonyms & related words

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