green light

¹

noun

1. a green-colored traffic light used to signal drivers, pedestrians, etc., that they may proceed.
2. authorization; approval; permission:

   The railroad has been given the green light on the proposed fare increase.

green-light

²

verb (used with object)

, green·-light·ed or green·-lit, green·-light·ing.

1. to give permission to proceed; authorize:

   The renovation project was green-lighted by the board of directors.

green light

noun

1. a signal to go, esp a green traffic light
2. permission to proceed with a project

verb

1. to permit (a project, etc) to proceed

Example Sentences

“We are concerned about a federal government that gives local governments the green light to follow their worst political instinct, instead of what we know works,” Visotzky said.

From Los Angeles Times

Many view such statements as giving Israel a green light to ramp up bombings.

From Los Angeles Times

It follows US President Joe Biden's decision to give Ukraine the green light to use long-range missiles supplied by the US to strike Russia on Monday.

From BBC

It is set to intensify competition with rival Eli Lilly, whose popular weight-loss treatment also got the green light months ago but has yet to go on sale in the world's second largest pharmaceutical market.

From BBC

Now that the US has given Ukraine the green light to use American-supplied long range missiles in Russia, what will the UK decide?

From BBC

Related Words

• approval
• assent
• blessing
• clearance
• consent
• go ahead
• permission
• seal of approval
• thumbs-up