Go-ahead
What it means
Permission or approval to begin or continue an action.
Reach for it when naming a clear decision that allows planned work to proceed
The safety officer gave the go-ahead for the bridge inspection.
Words to choose between 6
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| professional | |
| formal |
-
everyday
Fits when a familiar metaphor suits a clear positive decision
Careful Green light is informal and can obscure who had authority to decide.
-
professional
approval
Fits when a proposal has met the decision maker's standard
Careful Approval may express favor without authorizing a start.
-
professional
clearance
Fits when a safety, security, or procedural barrier has been passed
Careful Clearance suggests a specific control and not general endorsement.
-
formal
Fits when expressed agreement matters more than operational authority
Careful Assent may be nonbinding and does not necessarily permit action.
-
formal
authorization
Fits when official power or rules permit the action
Careful Authorization is too legalistic for an informal personal decision.
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formal
Fits when a person freely agrees to something affecting them
Careful Consent must not be treated as managerial permission or assumed from silence.
Opposites 3
- refusal
- prohibition
- veto
Common phrases 3
-
give the go-ahead
The trustees give the go-ahead only after an independent review.
-
get the go-ahead
Builders must get the go-ahead before closing the footpath.
-
final go-ahead
Weather data supplied the final go-ahead for launch.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated