Synonyms

no-go

American

[noh-goh] / ˈnoʊˈgoʊ /

Or no go

adjective

Informal.

not authorized or approved to proceed; canceled or aborted.

The Tuesday space launch is no-go.
not ready to go or proceed.
not functioning properly; inoperative.

The ticket machine was no-go.
(of an area) having restricted entry.

hazardous no-go zones.

noun

Informal.

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.

no go Idioms

see no dice.

Etymology

Origin of no-go

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Strait of Hormuz was still a no-go zone for most ships on Wednesday, the day after Iran agreed to a cease-fire that will allow marine traffic to resume.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

A traditional six-speed, three-pedal manual gearbox is a no-go.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

But limiting victims’ ability to sue, as some have called on lawmakers to do, is a clear no-go, she said.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 21, 2026

Tell her, “My relationship with my son and our finances is a no-go area. It is a pleasure to be able to help him.”

From MarketWatch • Dec. 17, 2025

For more than a decade following Penkovsky's arrest, Moscow had been a virtual no-go zone for CIA operations.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023