Usually the go-ahead permission or a signal to proceed.
They got the go-ahead on the construction work.
Baseball. Usually the go-ahead go-ahead run.
With two outs, and the go-ahead on first, Hoffman winds up and delivers the pitch.
Chiefly Hawaii and California. a sandal held on the foot by a strap between the big toe and the next toe.
moving forward; advancing.
a go-ahead Yankee peddler.
Move forward rapidly or act without restraint; also, continue something. For example, If you want to borrow the tractor, go ahead . This expression is often put as go ahead with , as in Are you going ahead with the house party? The term dates from the mid-1600s and gave rise to give the go-ahead , meaning “give permission to move or act in some way.”
go ahead of . Make one's way to the front of, as in They went ahead of me to see the purser . [Mid-1700s]
An Americanism first recorded in 1830–40; noun and adjective use of verb phrase go ahead
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But it remains to be seen whether that can now go ahead, given the cash to fund it was due to be found by re-writing the budgets of government departments.
From BBC • Jun. 22, 2026
If the right team hits a homer, feel free to go ahead and cheer.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2026
She decided to go ahead with the stock sale at a price she felt would lead to fewer regrets.
From Barron's • Jun. 13, 2026
While NHS England said 95% of operations and appointments were due to go ahead, thousands have been postponed.
From BBC • Jun. 13, 2026
“In my experience—in our experience,” Mae said, casting a fond glance at Birdie, “it’s best for all concerned if you simply go ahead and be what you are meant to be. Saves valuable time.”
From "Willodeen" by Katherine Applegate
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
