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

The power bank was a no-go; neither was a toy Imran bought for her 7-year-old grandson, Adel.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 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

It's just a no-go zone for the government.

From BBC • Nov. 17, 2025

Everyone else had been behind the no-go line.

From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone

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