on approval

Idioms  

1. To be returned if not satisfactory, as in They're offering custom-made shoes, manufactured from a computer design, on approval. This expression, applied nearly always to the purchase of goods, was first recorded in 1870.

---

Example Sentences

They’re waiting on approval from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

From Los Angeles Times

Paramount’s special committee has discussed conditioning the deal on approval by a vote of a majority of minority shareholders.

From New York Times

Though Ms. Redstone is eager to reach a deal, it hinges on approval from Paramount’s board, which has for weeks been weighing its options with the help of advisers.

From New York Times

Moreover, given their arbitrary nature, their rules on approval, control and sanctions must be held to be unjustified restrictions on the freedom to provide services.

From BBC

Working with rocket firm HyImpulse they intend to begin sub-orbital launches next year, and are currently waiting on approval from the Civil Aviation Authority to launch rockets out of the earth's atmosphere and into orbit.

From BBC

Related Words

• empirical
• preliminary
• unproved