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.

Example Sentences

You can set no-go zones and blur faces in the video feed, and an operator will never connect without your approval.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It's 10 years ago since broadcasting regulator Ofcom found Fox News in breach of the broadcasting code after one of its contributors called Birmingham a "no-go zone" for non-Muslims.

Read more on BBC

"I see doping in clean sports as a complete no-go," he said.

Read more on BBC

This thing I love to do started to feel like a job, and that is a no-go.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

There are people, she said, who live in Los Angeles County who know which are the “no-go” zones and which are safe.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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