pass
♦♦♦ pass /p'ɑːs, p'æs/ (passes passing passed)
1 [VERB] V n, V, V-ing
To pass someone or something means to go past them without stopping.
As she passed the library door, the telephone began to ring...
Jane stood aside to let her pass...
I sat in the garden and watched the passing cars.
2 [VERB] V prep/adv, V prep/adv
When someone or something passes in a particular direction, they move in that direction.
He passed through the doorway into Ward B...
The car passed over the body twice, once backward and then forward.
= go
3 [VERB] V prep/adv, V n
If something such as a road or pipe passes along a particular route, it goes along that route.
After going over the Col de Vars, the route passes through St-Paul-sur-Ubaye...
The road passes a farmyard.
4 [VERB] V n prep/adv
If you pass something through, over, or round something else, you move or push it through, over, or round that thing.
`I don't understand,' the Inspector mumbled, passing a hand through his hair...
5 [VERB] V n to n, V n n
If you pass something to someone, you take it in your hand and give it to them.
Ken passed the books to Sergeant Parrott...
Pass me that bottle.
= hand
6 [VERB] V to n, be V-ed to n, be V-ed from n to n
If something passes or is passed from one person to another, the second person then has it instead of the first.
His mother's small estate had passed to him after her death...
These powers were eventually passed to municipalities.
...a genetic trait, which can be passed from one generation to the next.
7 [VERB] V n to n
If you pass information to someone, you give it to them because it concerns them.
Officials failed to pass vital information to their superiors...
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron) to n, V P n (not pron), also V n P to n
Pass on means the same as pass.
I do not know what to do with the information if I cannot pass it on...
From time to time he passed on confidential information to him...
He has written a note asking me to pass on his thanks.
8 [VERB] V n adv/prep, V prep/adv
If you pass the ball to someone in your team in a game such as football, basketball, hockey, or rugby, you kick, hit, or throw it to them.
Your partner should then pass the ball back to you...
Dodd passed back to Flowers.
[N-COUNT]
Pass is also a noun.
Hirst rolled a short pass to Merson.
9 [VERB] V, V
When a period of time passes, it happens and finishes.
He couldn't imagine why he had let so much time pass without contacting her...
Several minutes passed before the girls were noticed.
= go by
10 [VERB] V n -ing/adv, V n
If you pass a period of time in a particular way, you spend it in that way.
The children passed the time playing in the streets...
To pass the time they sang songs and played cards.
11 [VERB] V through n
If you pass through a stage of development or a period of time, you experience it.
The country was passing through a grave crisis...
= go
12 [VERB] V n
If an amount passes a particular total or level, it becomes greater than that total or level.
They became the first company in their field to pass the £2 billion turn-over mark.
= exceed
13 [VERB] V n, V
If someone or something passes a test, they are considered to be of an acceptable standard.
Kevin has just passed his driving test...
I didn't pass.
≠ fail
14 [N-COUNT]
A pass in an examination, test, or course is a successful result in it.
An A-level pass in Biology is preferred for all courses...
≠ fail
15 [VERB] V n, V n adj
If someone in authority passes a person or thing, they declare that they are of an acceptable standard or have reached an acceptable standard.
Several popular beaches were found unfit for bathing although the government passed them last year...
The medical board would not pass him fit for General Service.
16 [VERB] V n
When people in authority pass a new law or a proposal, they formally agree to it or approve it.
The Estonian parliament has passed a resolution declaring the republic fully independent...
17 [VERB] V n
When a judge passes sentence on someone, he or she says what their punishment will be.
Passing sentence, the judge said it all had the appearance of a con trick...
18 [VERB] V n
If you pass comment or pass a comment, you say something.
I don't really know so I could not pass comment on that...
19 [VERB] V for/as n, V for/as n
If someone or something passes for or passes as something that they are not, they are accepted as that thing or mistaken for that thing.
Children's toy guns now look so realistic that they can often pass for the real thing...
...a woman passing as a man.
20 [VERB] V n
If someone passes water or passes urine, they urinate.
A sensitive bladder can make you feel the need to pass water frequently.
21 [N-COUNT]
A pass is a document that allows you to do something.
I got myself a pass into the barracks...
22 [N-COUNT; N-IN-NAMES]
A pass is a narrow path or route between mountains.
The monastery is in a remote mountain pass.
23
see also passing
24 [PHRASE] V inflects, usu PHR at n
If someone makes a pass at you, they try to begin a romantic or sexual relationship with you. (INFORMAL)
Nancy wasn't sure if Dirk was making a pass at her.
25
to pass the buck: see buck
to pass judgment: see judgmentfree pass (free passes)
[N-COUNT]
A free pass is an official document that allows a person to travel or to enter a particular building without having to pay.pass away
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
You can say that someone passed away to mean that they died, if you want to avoid using the word `die' because you think it might upset or offend people.
He unfortunately passed away last year.pass by
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n, V P
If you pass by something, you go past it or near it on your way to another place.
I see them pass by my house every day...
They were injured when a parked car exploded as their convoy passed by.pass off
[PHRASAL VERB] V P adv/prep
If an event passes off without any trouble, it happens and ends without any trouble.
The main demonstration passed off peacefully...pass on
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P to n, V n P, V P n (not pron) to n, V P n (not pron)
If you pass something on to someone, you give it to them so that they have it instead of you.
The Queen is passing the money on to a selection of her favourite charities...
There is a risk of passing the virus on...
The late Earl passed on much of his fortune to his daughter...
Tenants remain liable if they pass on their lease.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P to n, also V n P, V P n (not pron) to n
If you pass on costs or savings to someone else, you make them pay for your costs or allow them to benefit from your savings.
They pass on their cost of borrowing and add to it their profit margin...
I found we could make some saving and it is right to pass the savings on to the customer.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
You can say that someone passed on to mean that they died, if you want to avoid using the word `die' because you think it might upset or offend people.
He passed on at the age of 72.
= pass away
4
see also pass 7pass out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you pass out, you faint or collapse.
He felt sick and dizzy and then passed out...
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
When a police, army, navy, or air force cadet passes out, he or she completes his or her training. (BRIT)
He passed out in November 1924 and was posted to No 24 Squadron.pass over
1 [PHRASAL VERB] usu passive, be V-ed P for n, be V-ed P
If someone is passed over for a job or position, they do not get the job or position and someone younger or less experienced is chosen instead.
She claimed she was repeatedly passed over for promotion...
They've been rejected, disappointed, ignored, passed over.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n, be V-ed P
If you pass over a topic in a conversation or speech, you do not talk about it.
He largely passed over the government's record...
They seem to think her crimes should be passed over in silence.pass up
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you pass up a chance or an opportunity, you do not take advantage of it.
The official urged the government not to pass up the opportunity that has now presented itself...
`I can't pass this up.' She waved the invitation.
1 [VERB] V n, V, V-ing
To pass someone or something means to go past them without stopping.
As she passed the library door, the telephone began to ring...
Jane stood aside to let her pass...
I sat in the garden and watched the passing cars.
2 [VERB] V prep/adv, V prep/adv
When someone or something passes in a particular direction, they move in that direction.
He passed through the doorway into Ward B...
The car passed over the body twice, once backward and then forward.
= go
3 [VERB] V prep/adv, V n
If something such as a road or pipe passes along a particular route, it goes along that route.
After going over the Col de Vars, the route passes through St-Paul-sur-Ubaye...
The road passes a farmyard.
4 [VERB] V n prep/adv
If you pass something through, over, or round something else, you move or push it through, over, or round that thing.
`I don't understand,' the Inspector mumbled, passing a hand through his hair...
5 [VERB] V n to n, V n n
If you pass something to someone, you take it in your hand and give it to them.
Ken passed the books to Sergeant Parrott...
Pass me that bottle.
= hand
6 [VERB] V to n, be V-ed to n, be V-ed from n to n
If something passes or is passed from one person to another, the second person then has it instead of the first.
His mother's small estate had passed to him after her death...
These powers were eventually passed to municipalities.
...a genetic trait, which can be passed from one generation to the next.
7 [VERB] V n to n
If you pass information to someone, you give it to them because it concerns them.
Officials failed to pass vital information to their superiors...
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron) to n, V P n (not pron), also V n P to n
Pass on means the same as pass.
I do not know what to do with the information if I cannot pass it on...
From time to time he passed on confidential information to him...
He has written a note asking me to pass on his thanks.
8 [VERB] V n adv/prep, V prep/adv
If you pass the ball to someone in your team in a game such as football, basketball, hockey, or rugby, you kick, hit, or throw it to them.
Your partner should then pass the ball back to you...
Dodd passed back to Flowers.
[N-COUNT]
Pass is also a noun.
Hirst rolled a short pass to Merson.
9 [VERB] V, V
When a period of time passes, it happens and finishes.
He couldn't imagine why he had let so much time pass without contacting her...
Several minutes passed before the girls were noticed.
= go by
10 [VERB] V n -ing/adv, V n
If you pass a period of time in a particular way, you spend it in that way.
The children passed the time playing in the streets...
To pass the time they sang songs and played cards.
11 [VERB] V through n
If you pass through a stage of development or a period of time, you experience it.
The country was passing through a grave crisis...
= go
12 [VERB] V n
If an amount passes a particular total or level, it becomes greater than that total or level.
They became the first company in their field to pass the £2 billion turn-over mark.
= exceed
13 [VERB] V n, V
If someone or something passes a test, they are considered to be of an acceptable standard.
Kevin has just passed his driving test...
I didn't pass.
≠ fail
14 [N-COUNT]
A pass in an examination, test, or course is a successful result in it.
An A-level pass in Biology is preferred for all courses...
≠ fail
15 [VERB] V n, V n adj
If someone in authority passes a person or thing, they declare that they are of an acceptable standard or have reached an acceptable standard.
Several popular beaches were found unfit for bathing although the government passed them last year...
The medical board would not pass him fit for General Service.
16 [VERB] V n
When people in authority pass a new law or a proposal, they formally agree to it or approve it.
The Estonian parliament has passed a resolution declaring the republic fully independent...
17 [VERB] V n
When a judge passes sentence on someone, he or she says what their punishment will be.
Passing sentence, the judge said it all had the appearance of a con trick...
18 [VERB] V n
If you pass comment or pass a comment, you say something.
I don't really know so I could not pass comment on that...
19 [VERB] V for/as n, V for/as n
If someone or something passes for or passes as something that they are not, they are accepted as that thing or mistaken for that thing.
Children's toy guns now look so realistic that they can often pass for the real thing...
...a woman passing as a man.
20 [VERB] V n
If someone passes water or passes urine, they urinate.
A sensitive bladder can make you feel the need to pass water frequently.
21 [N-COUNT]
A pass is a document that allows you to do something.
I got myself a pass into the barracks...
22 [N-COUNT; N-IN-NAMES]
A pass is a narrow path or route between mountains.
The monastery is in a remote mountain pass.
23
see also passing
24 [PHRASE] V inflects, usu PHR at n
If someone makes a pass at you, they try to begin a romantic or sexual relationship with you. (INFORMAL)
Nancy wasn't sure if Dirk was making a pass at her.
25
to pass the buck: see buck
to pass judgment: see judgmentfree pass (free passes)
[N-COUNT]
A free pass is an official document that allows a person to travel or to enter a particular building without having to pay.pass away
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
You can say that someone passed away to mean that they died, if you want to avoid using the word `die' because you think it might upset or offend people.
He unfortunately passed away last year.pass by
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n, V P
If you pass by something, you go past it or near it on your way to another place.
I see them pass by my house every day...
They were injured when a parked car exploded as their convoy passed by.pass off
[PHRASAL VERB] V P adv/prep
If an event passes off without any trouble, it happens and ends without any trouble.
The main demonstration passed off peacefully...pass on
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P to n, V n P, V P n (not pron) to n, V P n (not pron)
If you pass something on to someone, you give it to them so that they have it instead of you.
The Queen is passing the money on to a selection of her favourite charities...
There is a risk of passing the virus on...
The late Earl passed on much of his fortune to his daughter...
Tenants remain liable if they pass on their lease.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P to n, also V n P, V P n (not pron) to n
If you pass on costs or savings to someone else, you make them pay for your costs or allow them to benefit from your savings.
They pass on their cost of borrowing and add to it their profit margin...
I found we could make some saving and it is right to pass the savings on to the customer.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
You can say that someone passed on to mean that they died, if you want to avoid using the word `die' because you think it might upset or offend people.
He passed on at the age of 72.
= pass away
4
see also pass 7pass out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you pass out, you faint or collapse.
He felt sick and dizzy and then passed out...
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
When a police, army, navy, or air force cadet passes out, he or she completes his or her training. (BRIT)
He passed out in November 1924 and was posted to No 24 Squadron.pass over
1 [PHRASAL VERB] usu passive, be V-ed P for n, be V-ed P
If someone is passed over for a job or position, they do not get the job or position and someone younger or less experienced is chosen instead.
She claimed she was repeatedly passed over for promotion...
They've been rejected, disappointed, ignored, passed over.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n, be V-ed P
If you pass over a topic in a conversation or speech, you do not talk about it.
He largely passed over the government's record...
They seem to think her crimes should be passed over in silence.pass up
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you pass up a chance or an opportunity, you do not take advantage of it.
The official urged the government not to pass up the opportunity that has now presented itself...
`I can't pass this up.' She waved the invitation.