spring a leakif a boat or a container springs a leak, it begins to let liquid in or out through a crack or hole
[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
spring a leak v. phr. 1. To develop a hole (said of boats) through which water can enter, threatening the boat to sink.
When our small boat sprang a leak, we rapidly returned to shore to fix it. 2. To be threatened by some oncoming danger.
Our firm sprang a leak when the vice president suddenly died of a heart attack. [TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲