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Glite Dictionary
to get the nod

to get the nod

7 5.3
To receive approval to start or continue something
  • phrasal verb
: recibir aprobación
  • Milband gets the nod from employers.
  • probably get the nod
  • likely to get the nod
  • get the nod to go

So it sounds like June is I'm getting the nod.

Examples

  • Before we can start the project, we need to get the nod from the management.

  • Once we get the nod from the bureaucrats, we'll be ready to go.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • Oh, yeah, I got the nod.

    Mischief Night (2013)

  • Not until I get "the nod".

    Failure to Launch (2006)

  • And we got the nod.

    Only The Brave (2006)

  • So, it looks like we've got the nod.

    Empire of Light (2022)

  • Don't say anything unless you get the nod from me.

    Hollywood Cavalcade (1939)

  • I just wish J-Ram had also gotten the nod.

    Blog text (17)

  • One always expected Mike to get the nod after a lifetime's loyal service.

    Finding Your Feet (2017)

  • Miami Heat point guard Mario Chalmers got the nod to represent his home state of Alaska.

    Blog text (13)

Synonyms

to get the greenlight
vsto get the nod
1 3.5

To receive official permission to start or continue a project

is similar but denotes more informal or less official permission to proceed

Antonyms

to refuse
∞ 1.7

To say no to a request or offer

to disapprove
80 2.9

To think something is wrong or bad and show it

How Approved

O.K.
5 2.0
to get the nod
7 5.3
to support
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

get the nod infinitive
getting the nod present participle
gets the nod third person singular
got the nod past
got the nod past participle

Morphology

get + the + nod

The meaning 'to receive approval' is directly derivable from combining 'get' (to receive) with 'nod' (a head movement indicating assent); a learner who knows both words can infer that 'get the nod' means receiving that sign of approval. This receive + approval-sign composition is a common, cross-linguistic pattern and therefore transparent to B1 learners.

Etymology

Get the nod may come from the simple act of someone giving a small head movement—a nod—to show 'approval' or 'permission', like a director or boss quietly signalling 'yes'. So to get the nod means to receive that quiet 'yes' to go ahead.