floodgates

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flood|gates /fl'ʌdgeɪts/
[PHRASE] V inflects, usu PHR to/for n
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.
A decision against the cigarette companies could open the floodgates to many more lawsuits...

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abreast

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ablaze

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allowance

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