green light, get/give the
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).
Synonyms and Related Terms
- All systems go: Everything is ready or permitted.
- Clearance: Authorization to proceed.
- Thumps up 👍: A sign of approval.
- Approval: Consent, particularly after consideration.
Antonyms
- Red light: A stop signal, permission denied.
- Hold your horses: An idiom meaning to wait or pause.
- Tabled: Postpone or put on hold a decision.
Provocative Quotes
- “The art of life lies in a constant readjustment to our surroundings.” — Kakuzo Okakura 😌
- “Patience is not simply the ability to wait - it’s how we behave while we’re waiting.” — Joyce Meyer 🕰️
Suggested Literature
- Green Lights by Matthew McConaughey 📚
- French Without Tears by Terence Rattigan 🎭
- Permission to Proceed by David Colman
Suggested Movies
- Green Lantern 🌌 (2011) – Let’s see how a lantern got all the validated green.
- Go 🚦 (1999) – Because ‘green light’ is often shouted as “Go!”
Quizzes on Idioms!
### Which of these idioms means to give permission?
- [x] Give the green light
- [ ] Roll the dice
- [ ] Fly under the radar
- [ ] Smoke and mirrors
> **Explanation:** "Give the green light" is a well-known idiom meaning to grant someone permission to proceed.
### Which phrase is synonymous with 'giving the green light'?
- [ ] Looking through a kaleidoscope
- [x] All systems go
- [ ] Playing the fiddle
- [ ] Riding a gravy train
> **Explanation:** "All systems go" is a fitting synonym as it refers to everything being in place to proceed.
### True or False: 'Red light' is an antonym of 'green light'?
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True as in traffic signals. A ‘red light’ orders to stop, which is the opposite of go.
### What does the expression 'hold your horses' mean?
- [x] To wait a moment or be patient
- [ ] To eat quickly
- [ ] To gather a group
- [ ] To drive carefully
> **Explanation:** "Hold your horses" is used to tell someone to be patient or to wait.
### “Thumbs up” means:
- [ ] No permission
- [ ] Disapproval
- [x] Approval
- [ ] Confusion
> **Explanation:** A 'thumbs up' is universally known to signify approval or permission.
Farewell thought: 🚦 Just as a green light offers the way forward, may you find permission in life’s signals that guide you to your dreams. Remember, sometimes a red light is just a cue for a more thoughtful journey ahead.
— Lotte Linguistics
