phrasal verb · formal
give the green light to
UK/ɡɪv ðə ɡriːn laɪt tuː/US/ɡɪv ðə ɡriːn laɪt tu/give·the·GREEN·light·to
to officially allow or approve something
Examples
“After reviewing the safety report, the council decided to give the green light to the new factory.”
“The government gave the green light to the pilot programme last month.”
“Teachers were reluctant at first, but the headteacher finally gave the green light to the change.”
Band 8 sentence
“The planning board gave the green light to the redevelopment scheme after months of consultation, recognising the potential economic benefits.”
Collocations
- give the green light to + project/plan/programme
- give someone the green light
Word family
Common mistakes
give green light to→give the green light to
give the green light for→give the green light to
Say it for a higher band
5allow→6permit→7+give the green light to
Synonyms
authorize
permit
Easily confused
approve
“The committee approved the new guidelines yesterday.”
Related words
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