the green light
noun
: permission to start or continue something (such as a project)
His boss finally gave him the green light to start the new project.
Examples of the green light in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And with those words from Mission Control on April 2, the Artemis II astronauts were given the green light to fire up their engine, leave Earth orbit and head for their historic rendezvous with the moon.
—
Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
If the mission team gives the green light, however, the spacecraft and its astronauts will make a figure-eight loop around the moon — a path chosen for its relative simplicity and safety.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Mitski’s own reputation may have contributed as well, as a rowdier, more chaotic artist and audience probably wouldn’t have gotten the green light.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
Westchester Public Library got the green light from Chesterton’s Board of Zoning Appeals to proceed with plans to restore Brown Mansion and to move the museum into a new barn-like structure.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
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Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
If the mission team gives the green light, however, the spacecraft and its astronauts will make a figure-eight loop around the moon — a path chosen for its relative simplicity and safety.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Mitski’s own reputation may have contributed as well, as a rowdier, more chaotic artist and audience probably wouldn’t have gotten the green light.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
Westchester Public Library got the green light from Chesterton’s Board of Zoning Appeals to proceed with plans to restore Brown Mansion and to move the museum into a new barn-like structure.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the green light
Cite this Entry
“The green light.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20green%20light. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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