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Glite Dictionary
to get the nod

to get the nod

6 5.3
To receive approval to start or continue something
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : 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
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
716 1.7

To say no to a request or offer

to disapprove
94 2.9

To think something is wrong or bad and show it

How Approved

O.K.
2.0
to get the nod
6 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.