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-lighted, green-lit, green-lighting. 

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

Since getting the green light to make more typical five-inning starts, he had failed to actually complete the fifth in his first two attempts.

From Los Angeles Times

The order tasks law enforcement with seeking a workaround of constitutional protections, giving authorities the green light to arrest flag-burners if they believe the protest is carried out in conjunction with other illegal activities.

From Salon

“If we see people under the plane, we don’t give the green light.”

From Los Angeles Times

But it effectively gave cities the green light to do so without fear of violating people’s constitutional protections.

From Salon

A handful of cities have fallen behind on their plans, and developers capitalized, getting the green light for high-density projects that wouldn’t be approved otherwise.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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