give (one) the green light

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give (one) the green light

To grant someone permission to proceed with some action or task. Likened to the green light of a traffic signal. We're just waiting our manager to give us the green light before we release the latest software update.
See also: give, green, light
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

give someone/something the green light

or

give the green light to someone/something

COMMON If someone in authority gives someone or something the green light or gives the green light to someone or something, they allow someone to do something or something to happen. He has finally been given the green light to build five new houses on the land. Note: You can also say that someone gets the green light. I've got a bunch more songs, and if I can get the green light from my manager, I'd like to go straight back in and record some more. Note: People use a green light to mean permission from someone in authority. Is that a green light for interest-rate cuts?
See also: give, green, light, someone, something
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

green light, get/give the

Permission to proceed. The term alludes to the green of traffic lights, signifying “go ahead,” which began to be used on railroads in the nineteenth century. Terence Rattigan in his play French without Tears (1937) wrote, “We had a bottle of wine and got pretty gay, and all the time she was giving me the old green light” (3.1).
See also: get, give, green
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer
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References in periodicals archive ?
So this review needs to be shorter, sharper - and give us the green light to speed up!" Opponents of HS2 sometimes argue that the project should be scrapped and the money spent on transport services in the North of England instead.
HS2 rail line set to be delayed by three years; OPENING OF BIRMINGHAM TO LONDON LINK MAY NOW BE 2029
So this review needs to be shorter, sharper and give us the green light to speed up."
Mayor will be voice of support on PM's HS2 review panel; Midland bosses say high-speed scheme must not be ditched now
"The channels could come back today if Tegna would allow it, and we can restore the channels immediately if they give us the green light," added LeCuyer.
Tegna blacks out Dish customers in 39 Markets
The train will officially come into operation as soon as Saudi officials give us the green light," said Mariano De La Vega, project manager of Talgo.
Haramain High-Speed Train Ready for Launch
Our lawyers won't give us the green light,' " Bernal said.
School lunch bill revived as an amendment; no longer mandatory
Tracy Parker, heart health dietitian at the British Heart Foundation, said: "While the findings of this review indicate a small or neutral association between butter consumption and increased cardiovascular risk, it does not give us the green light to start eating more butter.
U-turn for butter... it's not bad for our health
United boss Mixu Paatelainen said: "As soon as the Home Office give us the green light I know the SFA will act promptly.
I've been down this road before; RECORD Saturday, December 5, 2015 MORE AT DAILYRECORD.CO.UK KILLIE v DUNDEE U TODAY, 3PM, RUGBY PARK Pongolle has experienced survival and insists United will stay up
"If we see a player we think is better than what we've got then I'm sure the chairman will give us the green light."
premier targets on radar; Hunt ongoing to strengthen: Steve
Libya: "The negotiations were successful yesterday and we are waiting for the NTC to give us the green light to go in," said Abdullah Kenshil who held talks with Bani Walid elders on Tuesday.
Libya s Bani Walid ready for rebels entry: negotiator
Cllr Rob Polhill, leader of Halton Borough Council and chair of the Mersey Gateway Executive Board, said: "The case for the Mersey Gateway to be given the go ahead remains as strong as ever and we are confident that after looking at the value for money this project delivers and the benefits it will bring to Halton and the wider region the government will give us the green light to proceed.
SECOND CROSSING THROWN LIFELINE; Project team vows to fight on despite cuts warning
"We can't even consider him until New Zealand Cricket give us the green light and there is no indication that will be any time soon.
Injured Kiwi batsman Ryder resumes training
"I have to admit, Danny Carter and myself had doubts once the scale of the club's debts became apparent," said Shephard, "but the fans cleared each hurdle as they came and eventually were able to give us the green light to build a squad."
Shephard in tribute to fans after opening win
"Assuming they give us the green light, we'll go through the process of selecting someone to come in and build.
Town looks at energy from trash; Officials tour Haverhill plant
'The deal is more or less done with them and we simply need the IRB to give us the green light for another high-calibre autumn series for next year.'
pounds 13m
"It got so bad that officers were screaming at their superiors to be allowed to use their baton rounds to push back the crowd but it's almost as though a certain number of us have to be hurt before they'll give us the green light. We feel like we're expendable.
TWELFTH RIOT COPS: WE FEEL EXPENDABLE; PSNI frontline officers accuse bosses of not ensuring their safety
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