go-ahead

As a name for footwear, from the fact that one can't easily step backwards wearing them.

go-ahead (plural go-aheads)

1. Approval, agreement, or instruction to begin or proceed.

   You can start as soon as you get the go-ahead from the president.

   • 2010, BioWare, Mass Effect 2 (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Pietas:

     Though Pietas has a combination of features that make terraforming a possibility, the rights to the planet have been tied up in Citadel Council courts for the past eight years. The running joke is that by the time the Council finally gives the go-ahead to colonize the planet, Pietas will have evolved life of its own.

   • 2020 June 3, Lilian Greenwood talks to Paul Stephen, “Rail's 'underlying challenges' remain”, in Rail, page 34:

     Greenwood's time as TSC [Transport Select Committee] chairman came to an end late last year, when MPs finally gave the go-ahead to an early General Election so that the Brexit deadlock in Parliament could be broken.

2. (dated, usually in the plural) A flip-flop (footwear).

go-ahead (comparative more go-ahead, superlative most go-ahead)

1. (comparable) Progressive; exerting leadership.

   I work for a very go-ahead company that's always looking for new ideas.

   • 1906, Arthur Lincoln Haydon, The Book of the V. C., page 150:

     This turbulent ruler was a very go-ahead monarch indeed. He organised a splendid army, well-drilled and well-equipped with modern arms

   • 1959, Anthony Burgess, Beds in the East (The Malayan Trilogy), published 1972, page 587:

     "The Sultan's go-ahead, modern in some of his views."

2. (comparable) Dashing; energetic.
3. (sports, not comparable) Being a score which gives the scoring team or player the lead in the game.

   The pitcher gave up the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning.

• (sports score): game-winning

• (sports score): game-tying