floodgate
gb/flˈʌdɡˌeɪt/ us/flˈʌdɡˌeɪt/
C1
Inglés
zsilip, zsilipkapu, gát
SUSTANTIVO
C1
1
zsilip
B2
zsilipkapu
C1
Patrón de uso:
a floodgate at/on/in [place]
Engineers opened the floodgates to relieve pressure on the dam after the heavy rain.
A mérnökök kinyitották a zsilipeket, hogy a heves esőzés után csökkentsék a gátra nehezedő nyomást.
A broken floodgate left the canal level too low for boats to pass.
Egy meghibásodott zsilipkapu miatt a csatorna vízszintje túl alacsony lett ahhoz, hogy a hajók áthaladjanak.
The city upgraded the floodgates to reduce the risk of flooding during storms.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
They opened the floodgates to let water out.
Kinyitották a zsilipeket, hogy kiengedjék a vizet.
The floodgate controls the river.
A zsilip szabályozza a folyó vizének áramlását.
Error frecuente:
Often written as two words (*flood gate*), but *floodgate* is the standard spelling for the structure.
Significado
gate that controls water flow
Colocaciones
open the floodgates
|close the floodgates
|raise the floodgates
|lower the floodgates
|floodgate controls
|floodgate operator
|floodgate mechanism
|floodgate failure
|repair the floodgates
|behind the floodgates
Sinónimos
sluice gate (A very close synonym, often used for gates that control water in channels and drainage systems.)
Temas
engineering
|infrastructure
|environment
|water
Definición
a gate that lets water out or keeps it in
A movable gate in a dam, levee, canal, or similar structure that is opened or closed to control the flow of water.
SUSTANTIVO
C1
2
Patrón de uso:
a floodgate for/to [something]
One positive review seemed to act as a floodgate, and soon thousands of orders arrived.
Úgy tűnt, egyetlen kedvező értékelés megnyitotta a zsilipeket, és hamarosan több ezer rendelés érkezett.
The policy change removed a floodgate that had been holding back new competitors.
A szabályozás megváltoztatása megszüntette azt a gátat, amely addig visszatartotta az új versenytársakat.
When he started talking about his childhood, a floodgate of memories came rushing back.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
The news opened a floodgate of questions.
A hír kérdések özönét indította el.
Error frecuente:
In this figurative sense, it is very often used in the plural (*the floodgates*) even when talking about one change or event.
Significado
barrier whose removal triggers a surge
Colocaciones
a floodgate of complaints
|a floodgate of applications
|a floodgate of memories
|a floodgate of criticism
|a floodgate of requests
|open a floodgate
|release the floodgates
|hold back the floodgates
|trigger the floodgates
|unleash the floodgates
Sinónimos
dam (Similar metaphor (a barrier holding something back), but *floodgate* emphasizes a sudden release when opened.)
|
barrier (More general; does not necessarily suggest a sudden surge once removed.)
Antónimos
safeguard (Something intended to prevent problems or limit harm, rather than allowing a surge.)
Temas
business
|communication
|society
|emotions
Definición
something that, once removed, causes a lot to happen
Something that restricts or holds back a large amount of activity, feeling, or demand until it is removed or weakened, after which it becomes difficult to control.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
floodgate
AFI
GB/flˈʌdɡˌeɪt/
US/flˈʌdɡˌeɪt/
Sílabas y acento
floodgate (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (floodgate)
Formas de la palabra
Noun
- Base: floodgate
- Plural: floodgates
Familia de palabras
Forms
floodgates
noun
Core family
flood
noun A2
flooding
noun
Related words
flooded
adjective
floodwater
noun
Advanced or less common
floodplain
noun B2
Expresiones
open the floodgates (to/for)
1/ˈoʊpən ðə flˈʌdɡˌeɪts tˈoʊfɚ/
idiom
allow a sudden large increase
to cause a lot of something to start happening
Ejemplos
- The court ruling opened the floodgates to new lawsuits.
- Adding the feature opened the floodgates for customer complaints.
- A single public apology can open the floodgates to more demands.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The announcement opened the floodgates to questions.
the floodgates are open
1/ðə flˈʌdɡˌeɪts ˈɑɹ ˈoʊpən/
fixed phrase
a surge has started
now a lot is happening at once
Ejemplos
- Now that the discount code leaked, the floodgates are open and our inbox is full.
- Once the story went viral, the floodgates were open to copycat posts.
- After the first complaint, the floodgates seemed to open and more followed.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- After the post, the floodgates were open.