Grammar fix
give the go-ahead
authorise the plan
To officially or clearly allow a plan or action to start.
How oftenCommon
LevelB2
Used inSpeech & writing
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
The director gave the go-ahead for the new website last Friday.
At my university, the supervisor had to give the go-ahead before we could start collecting data for our project.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: The manager gave the go-ahead of the project.
Say: The manager gave the go-ahead for the project.
Use 'go-ahead for' before a noun, or 'go-ahead to' before an action.
Don't confuse it
Other ways to say it
Officially allow a plan to start
How formalConversationalExplicit
give the go-aheadYou're here · Plain, everyday work talk: the person in charge says yes so you can start. Often 'get the go-ahead'. Same meaning as 'give the green light', which sounds a bit more vivid and is a favourite in news headlines.
give the green lightApproving a plan or project so it can go ahead. Slightly more vivid than 'give the go-ahead', and very common in news: 'Council gives green light to new stadium'.give permissionExplicitly allowing someone to do something.