go–no-goadj.n.
/ˌɡəʊˈnəʊɡəʊ/, U.S. /ˈˌɡoʊˈnoʊˌɡoʊ/ A. adj. (attributive).
1. Engineering. Frequently in form go/no-go. Designating a limit gauge incorporating a go gauge and a no-go gauge, for testing whether the dimensions of a manufactured item fall between two specified limits; designating quality control in which an item is passed only when it falls within two specified tolerance limits. Cf. go adj. 1, no go adj. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > measuring instrument > [adjective] > specific type of limit-gauge
go1907
no go1910
not-go1917
go–no-go1938
1938 Sankhyā 4 252 Conformity will be tested by a go-no-go guage [sic] method by measuring the diameter of each bolt manufactured.
1944 Michigan Technic Oct. 15/1 Inspection of articles is of the Go, No-Go variety.
1963 New Scientist 14 Feb. 361/2 A go/no-go insulation resistance measurement is made on the four wires of the quad.
1991 Metalworking Production Sept. Q7/2 Replacing a limited ‘go-no go’ plug gauge system, the Comtorgage avoids excess scrap.
2004 Technometrics 46 9/1 If the measurements are based on a go/no-go gauge, then the specifications can be tightened to produce more failures.
2. Originally Aeronautics. Used with reference to making a decision as to whether to continue with or abandon a procedure, mission, etc.
ΚΠ
1951 Aviation Week 19 Feb. 48/1 Several important factors were demonstrated, namely, the need for alignment reference, contrast, glare elimination, threshold identification and a ‘go no-go’ indication.
1959 W. A. Heflin Aerospace Gloss. 43/2 Go-no-go a., of a rocket missile launch: so controlled at the end of the countdown as to permit an instantaneous change in decision on whether to launch or not to launch.
1965 N.Y. Times 29 Aug. 69/1 Three full-time shifts of highly trained young specialists are needed to make the go-no go commitments at every step along the way of a long journey in space.
1990 Courier-Mail (Brisbane) 17 Aug. 29/8 A go-no go decision can be obtained from MBTBC's Manly Harbor clubhouse after 4pm today.
2005 Chicago Tribune (Midwest ed.) 16 Jan. viii. 4 For those considering heading to South or Southeast Asia over the coming months..there are many Web sites to..allow you to make an informed go/no-go decision.
B. n.
Originally Aeronautics. A decision to continue with or abandon a procedure, mission, etc.; the point at which this decision is taken.
ΚΠ
1963 Amer. Speech 38 118 If trouble develops on the take-off roll before go-no-go, it is possible to abort and stop the aircraft on the remaining runway.
1999 D. VanderZwaag in D. Vidas & W. Østreng Order for Oceans xvii. 246 The ultimate decision of ‘go-no go’ for project proposals is left with the Party of origin.
2009 J. Maberry Patient Zero iii. 7 While we waited for the go/no-go, the guy next to me..kept looking at the boat.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2015; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.n.1938