go/no-go

American  

[goh-noh-goh] / ˈgoʊˈnoʊˌgoʊ /

Also go-no-go,

adjective

1. being or relating to a decision as to whether or not to proceed as planned or to the time at which such a decision must be made.

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Etymology

Origin of go/no-go

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

“We’re incentivizing developers whose only go/no-go is whether the factory stays in business. To me, that’s a developer who is probably not very savvy.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

No is a powerful word for a leader to utter, especially in an agency that has to make go/no-go decisions with billions of dollars and human lives at stake.

From Slate • Mar. 13, 2026

“They are entering a go/no-go posture, and they’re going to make that decision in the coming weeks.”

From Seattle Times • Feb. 8, 2022

In the past, military decision makers concerned themselves more with go/no-go: Do the injuries keep a soldier from completing the mission?

From New York Times • May 30, 2016

It will inch closer to about 150 metres and then await a final go/no-go decision from ground controllers about whether to attempt the docking, after they review all available data.

From The Guardian • Dec. 15, 2015