obtain approval

Meaning

This formal collocation means to officially get permission or agreement from a higher authority, manager, or governing body. It is frequently used in professional emails, project proposals, and corporate documentation.

Examples

• We must obtain approval from the board before launching the new product.

  We must obtain approval from the board before launching the new product.

• Have you managed to obtain approval for the travel budget yet?

  Have you managed to obtain approval for the travel budget yet?

• The project cannot proceed until we obtain written approval from the client.

  The project cannot proceed until we obtain written approval from the client.

• She is waiting to obtain approval from HR to hire a new assistant.

  She is waiting to obtain approval from HR to hire a new assistant.

• It took three weeks to obtain approval for the architectural plans.

  It took three weeks to obtain approval for the architectural plans.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We need to obtain an approval for the project.

  ✓ We need to obtain approval for the project.

  In this context, 'approval' is typically used as an uncountable noun, so you should not use the indefinite article 'an' before it.

• ✗ Please obtain approval to your supervisor.

  ✓ Please obtain approval from your supervisor.

  You obtain approval 'from' the person who has authority, not 'to' them.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Before you purchase the software, you must ___ from the department head.

  💡 get official permission

  Show answer

  obtain approval

• We are currently trying to ___ for our next marketing campaign.

  💡 get formal agreement or sign-off

  Show answer

  obtain approval