green light

noun

: authority or permission to proceed

green-light

ˈgrēn-ˌlīt 

transitive verb

Synonyms

• allowance
• authorization
• clearance
• concurrence
• consent
• granting
• leave
• license
• licence
• permission
• sanction
• sufferance
• warrant

Examples of green light in a Sentence

we were given the green light to use the town commons for our fund-raiser

Recent Examples on the Web

Norris led a gaggle of cars off the line while Verstappen was part of a separate group that waited for green lights to go out before a second formation lap. —Kanzah Maktoum, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024

Some downtown buildings are getting a jumpstart on Black Friday window displays and turning on their rooftop red and green lights. —Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 1 Nov. 2024

McCluggage says the Miami Vice script was discussed as a possible feature until the president of Universal’s film division, Frank Price, gave a green light to DePalma’s Scarface remake. —Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024

When British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited the White House in September, European officials said the president was on the verge of giving a green light. —Serge Schmemann, The Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

from the green traffic light which signals permission to proceed

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above