no-go

Or no go

[noh-goh]

adjective

Informal.

1. not authorized or approved to proceed; canceled or aborted.

   The Tuesday space launch is no-go.

2. not ready to go or proceed.

3. not functioning properly; inoperative.

   The ticket machine was no-go.

4. (of an area) having restricted entry.

   hazardous no-go zones.

noun

Informal.

1. a plan or idea that is canceled, rejected, or otherwise fails to be realized.

   We asked to borrow the car, but that was a no-go, so we’ll have to take the bus.

Word History and Origins

Origin of no go¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Idioms and Phrases

see no dice.

Related Words

• feeble 
• fruitless 
• futile 
• impotent 
• inadequate 
• incompetent 
• indecisive 
• ineffectual 
• inefficient 
• inept 
• limited 
• null 
• powerless 
• unable 
• unproductive 
• unprofitable 
• unsuccessful 
• worthless