green light

¹ American  

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.

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green-light ² American  

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.

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green light British  

noun

1. a signal to go, esp a green traffic light

2. permission to proceed with a project

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verb

1. to permit (a project, etc) to proceed

Example Sentences

A green light and a red light at the same intersection.

From Los Angeles Times

So “The Faithful” was pitched and a green light was given for the show.

From Los Angeles Times

The same is true of India, as it also takes advantage of that temporary green light to turn to Russia.

From BBC

Lawmakers in the EU parliament's civil liberties committee gave it their green light Wednesday, paving the way for approval by the full assembly on March 26.

From Barron's

Jonathan Gould, one of the country’s most powerful banking regulators, has given the green light to crypto firms such as Ripple and Crypto.com to build banks—and is welcoming applications from others, including payment-technology companies.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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