PhrasesHub

Get the green light

    Definitions

      • permission or approval
        To receive the go-ahead or clearance to proceed with a certain action or plan.

      • signal to start
        To be given the signal or indication to begin or start something.

    Examples of Get the green light

    • The CEO gave the project the green light after reviewing the budget and feasibility studies.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone has given approval for a project or idea to proceed. The "green light" is a metaphorical traffic signal, where green represents approval or go-ahead. In this example, the CEO has reviewed the project's budget and feasibility studies and has decided to give it the green light, indicating that the project has been approved to move forward.

    • After months of negotiations, the two companies finally got the green light to merge.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used in a different context. Here, "get the green light" means that the companies have received approval for their merger proposal. The approval could have come from regulatory authorities, shareholders, or other stakeholders, but the idiom still conveys the idea that the project has been given the go-ahead.

    • The author's manuscript received the green light from the publisher, and the book is now in production.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used in the context of publishing. In this case, "get the green light" means that the publisher has approved the manuscript and given the author the go-ahead to proceed with production. The author's manuscript has passed the review process and is now being prepared for publication.

    • The startup received the green light from the investors, and they secured the necessary funding to launch the product.

      This example demonstrates how the idiom can be used in the context of securing funding. Here, "get the green light" means that the investors have approved the startup's proposal and have given them the go-ahead to proceed with the launch. The startup has received the necessary funding to bring their product to market.

    • The project faced some initial resistance, but after presenting the benefits, they finally got the green light from the stakeholders.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used in the context of gaining approval from stakeholders. Here, "get the green light" means that the project has received approval from the stakeholders, who may have initially been resistant to the idea. The project team was able to present the benefits of the project and convince the stakeholders to give their approval.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "get the green light" is commonly used to refer to receiving permission or approval to proceed with a particular task or action. It can also mean being given the signal or indication to start something.

    This idiom is often used in a business or professional context, where individuals or teams may need to seek approval from higher-ups or decision-makers before moving forward with a project or idea. It can also be used in everyday situations, such as getting the green light from a parent to go out with friends or receiving the go-ahead from a doctor to resume physical activity after an injury.

    Origin of "Get the green light"

    The origin of this idiom can be traced back to traffic signals. In most countries, a green light on a traffic signal indicates that it is safe to proceed, while a red light signals to stop. This color-coded system has been adopted in other areas as well, including in the business world where green often symbolizes progress or success.

    The first recorded use of the phrase "green light" in a figurative sense can be found in a 1842 novel by Charles Dickens, where he writes, "I was told to wait until the green light came, and it came, and I was very glad to see it." However, it wasn't until the early 1900s that the idiom gained widespread usage.

    Today, "get the green light" is a commonly used idiom in both verbal and written communication. It conveys a sense of approval and permission, and is often used in a positive and optimistic manner.