Verb

genehmigen

Translation

to approve, to authorize, to permit, to grant

Die Behörde hat den Antrag genehmigt.

The authority has approved the application.

Er genehmigte sich nach der Arbeit ein Bier.

He treated himself to a beer after work.

to approve ((sth.)) The committee approved the budget.

to treat oneself ((to sth.)) sich3 ((et4)) genehmigen He treated himself to a new watch.

to grant ((sb. sth.)) ((j-m)) ((et4)) genehmigen The company granted him a bonus.

Synonyms: erlauben (to allow), gestatten (to permit), bewilligen (to grant)

Prefix 'ge-' + a stem related to 'nehmen' (to take). The idea is to make something 'acceptable' or 'taken'.

It sounds a bit like 'go name again'. Imagine a boss asking you to 'go name it again' before he 'approves' your project.