pass on
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Related to pass on: pass away
pass on
euphemism To die. I'm so sorry to hear that your father passed on over the weekend. When I pass on, I don't want an elaborate funeral.
pass on (something)
1. To give, transmit, transfer, or deliver something. The noun or pronoun can also be used between "pass" and "on." Please pass on the book once you're finished with it. Psst! I heard Jenny and Mike are getting back together, pass it on! I think Tommy passed on his stomach bug to me.
2. To bequeath something. The noun or pronoun can also be used between "pass" and "on." My grandfather passed his record collection on to me because he knew I loved old music.
3. To decline or refuse something. I'm sorry, but we had to pass on your application. I'm going to pass on a second helping to save some room for dessert.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
pass someone on (to someone)
to send, hand, or conduct a person to someone else. I passed the baby on to the next admiring relative. She passed on the baby to her aunt.
pass something on
1. Lit. to hand or give something (to another person). Have a piece of toffee and pass the box on. Please pass on this book to the next person on the list.
2. Fig. to tell someone something; to spread news or gossip. Don't pass this on, but Bill isn't living at home any more. I refuse to pass on rumors.
pass something on
(to someone) Go to pass something down (to someone).
pass on someone or something
to accept or approve someone or something. She refused to pass on Ted, so he will not be appointed. The committee passed on the proposal, so work can now begin.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
pass on
1. See pass away.
2. Transfer something, as in Sign the card and then pass it on to the others, or Grandpa passed his tools on to his favorite grandson. Also see pass the torch.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
pass on
v.
1. To transmit or convey something that one has received or acquired to someone else: My boss passed the assignment on to me.
2. To bestow something to someone, especially a younger relative: I intend to pass my wedding ring on to my granddaughter.
3. To convey some item of information that one has received or acquired to someone else: Please pass on any important information to me. I passed the news on to the neighbors.
4. To transmit some disease or sickness to someone: The child passed on the cold to the whole family. Don't go to work with a bad cold, or you'll pass it on to everyone else.
5. To give something to someone else, especially after having used or partaken of it: Could you pass the book on to me after you've read it? Take one cupcake from the tray and pass it on.
6. To die: At the age of 92, he passed on.
7. To refuse something politely; decline something: I passed on going to the movie with my friends because I was feeling sick.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
pass
1. n. a passing grade or mark on a test. (Compare this with fail.) This is my third pass this semester.
2. in. to decline something; to decline to participate in something. I’ll have to pass. I am not prepared.
3. n. an act of declining something. Can I have a pass on that one? There is nothing I can do.
4. n. a sexual advance or invitation. (Usually with make.) When he made a pass at me, he got a pass right back.
5. tv. to succeed in spending counterfeit money; to succeed in cashing a bad check. He was arrested for passing bad checks.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.