# red light

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/red-light
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A denial to proceed a ruling out of any possibility.

## Examples

- My boss gave the red light to my new project idea.
- We were ready to start the renovation, but the city council gave us the red light due to zoning laws.
- Despite the team's exhaustive preparations and optimistic projections, the board of directors ultimately gave the red light to the proposed merger.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.