yellow light

Slow down warning

A yellow light is the amber signal between green and red at traffic intersections, warning drivers to prepare to stop.

Figuratively, a yellow light is cautious permission—neither full approval nor rejection: The board gave us a yellow light on the expansion, pending further review.

traffic

intersection

Point where paths meet

pedestrian · turning lane · roadway · junction · driving · vehicle · street · traffic code · right-of-way · timing

caution

slow down

Reduce pace or speed

prudence · vigilance · hesitation · discretion · watchfulness · mindfulness · carefulness · heed · foresight · deliberation

warning

hazard

Source of potential harm

advisory · threat · peril · beware · flashing · urgent · menace · precaution · impending · imminent

transition

change

To make different

  • timingArt of choosing moments
  • cycleRepeating sequence of events
  • approachWay of handling something

slowing · interval · brief · fleeting · countdown · intermediate · shift · switching · sequence · phase change

metaphor

uncertainty

State of being unsure

gray area · mixed signal · ambivalence · tentativeness · doubt · equivocation · limbo · borderline · conditional approval · not yet

Categories
Opposites
traffic signal permission

yellow lightgreen light

Authorization to proceed

red light · go-ahead · stop signal · all clear · stop sign

metaphorical caution/hesitation

yellow lightgreen light

Authorization to proceed

go-ahead · blessing · thumbs up · carte blanche · red light

Family

light, yellow, yellowish, yellowed, yellowing, yellowness, yellower, yellowest, yellowtail

Familiarity
Top 20,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G