Definition
开闸 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to open a sluice gate'. It can be split: 开了闸, 开一次闸. Beyond the literal meaning, it is frequently used metaphorically in financial and policy contexts to describe a sudden release or surge — like 'opening the floodgates' for capital, resources, or approvals. The metaphor comes from the image of water rushing out once the gate is lifted.
v.o.
to open a sluice gate(figurative) to release a large amountto lift restrictionsallowing a surge
Examples
- 开闸。Shuǐkù guǎnlǐ rényuán zhèngzài kāi zhá fàng shuǐ.The reservoir staff are opening the sluice gate to release water.
- 开闸，。Zhèngfǔ yì kāi zhá, dàliàng zījīn yǒng rù le shìchǎng.Once the government opened the floodgates, a large amount of capital poured into the market.
- ，。Zhège xiàngmù děng le sān nián, zhōngyú kāi le zhá.This project waited three years and finally got the green light (lit. opened the gate).
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