give the green light

Meaning

To give official permission or approval for a project, idea, or plan to proceed. This idiom comes from traffic signals, where a green light means it is safe to go forward.

Examples

• The board finally gave the green light to our budget proposal for next year.

  The board finally gave the green light to our budget proposal for next year.

• We are ready to launch the campaign as soon as the client gives the green light.

  We are ready to launch the campaign as soon as the client gives the green light.

• The CEO gave the green light to recruit three new software developers.

  The CEO gave the green light to recruit three new software developers.

• They won't give the green light until they see the final prototype.

  They won't give the green light until they see the final prototype.

• After months of negotiations, the city council gave the green light for the new office building.

  After months of negotiations, the city council gave the green light for the new office building.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The manager gave us the green card to start the project.

  ✓ The manager gave us the green light to start the project.

  A green card is a residency document; green light is the correct idiomatic expression for approval.

• ✗ We are waiting for the green light of the director.

  ✓ We are waiting for the green light from the director.

  Approval or permission comes from someone, not of someone.

Related Expressions

Practice

• We can't start production until the quality assurance team ___.

  💡 grants approval

  Show answer

  gives the green light

• The CFO is hesitant to ___ to such an expensive marketing campaign.

  💡 approve or allow to proceed

  Show answer

  give the green light