The men were ignorant of it; everybody was ignorant of it; and now suddenly the floodgate is opened and the men of Constantinople have thought it necessary to resort to drastic measures.
"The Reconciliation of Races and Religions"
Thomas Kelly Cheyne
Her instantaneous resumption of the serving-maid's relation to him jarred on Willan at that second indescribably, and shut down like a floodgate on the words he was about to speak.
"Between Whiles"
Helen Hunt Jackson
With that he struck, his anger great to wreak, A blow, that pierced the mail and metal bright, And in his flank set ope a floodgate wide, Whereat the blood out streamed from his side.
"Jerusalem Delivered"
Torquato Tasso