go-ahead

American  

[goh-uh-hed] / ˈgoʊ əˌhɛd /

noun

1. Usually the go-ahead permission or a signal to proceed.

   They got the go-ahead on the construction work.

2. Baseball. Usually the go-ahead go-ahead run.

   With two outs, and the go-ahead on first, Hoffman winds up and delivers the pitch.

3. Chiefly Hawaii and California. a sandal held on the foot by a strap between the big toe and the next toe.

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adjective

1. moving forward; advancing.

2. enterprising.

   a go-ahead Yankee peddler.

go ahead British  

verb

1. (intr, adverb) to start or continue, often after obtaining permission

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noun

1. informal permission to proceed

adjective

1. enterprising or ambitious

go ahead Idioms  

1. 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.”

2. go ahead of . Make one's way to the front of, as in They went ahead of me to see the purser . [Mid-1700s]

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Etymology

Origin of go-ahead

An Americanism first recorded in 1830–40; noun and adjective use of verb phrase go ahead

Example Sentences

The deal is expected to close the end of the year, subject to the go-ahead from Boralex’s shareholders and certain regulatory approvals,

From The Wall Street Journal

Some 25 minutes later, after the barrier was repaired, Allen gave the go-ahead for a restart.

From BBC

Tesla Energy Ventures received the go-ahead to provide electricity to domestic and nondomestic consumers in England, Scotland and Wales, but not Northern Ireland.

From The Wall Street Journal

That set the stage for Nick Suzuki’s go-ahead goal 49 seconds later, following a Moore turnover deep in the Kings’ end.

From Los Angeles Times

“Once the go-ahead to restart is given, it could take some time for the plant to cool down.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• assent
• consent
• green light
• permission