Phrasal verbs with 'PASS'

PASS AROUND/ROUND – to distribute smth among those who are present

They were sitting near the fire passing around a bowl with a strange substance inside it. Everybody had to drink it, otherwise it would be disrespectful to others.

PASS AS – to look like, be accepted as or believed to be something or someone else

You have to take photos of every dish you gonna eat. Only then you may pass as an insta blogger, aha.

PASS AWAY – to die

Unfortunately, the patient passed away recently. I’m sorry for your loss.

PASS BACK – to return something to someone or give something to a person or a group behind you

Psss, could you pass my note back to her? Thanks, pal.

PASS BY – 1) to move near something or someone; 2) to stop somewhere for a short visit; 3) to happen, appear or be done without being noticed; 3) to ignore/be ignored or not be used fruitfully

Today I just passed by (1) Edvard without saying anything. Last time I passed by (2) his house to talk to him, he didn’t want to listen to me. Everything I said seemed to pass him by (3). As a result, the chance to get good clients passed us by (4).

PASS DOWN – 1) to give something to the next person in a sequence; 2) to give something (especially knowledge, experience or information) to younger people, usually members of you family

While passing documents down (1) to Jim who sat near me, I noticed a ring on his middle finger. I remember that exactly the same ring has been passed down (2) in my family from father to son but it was lost two years ago.

PASS FOR – to look like, be accepted as or believed to be something or someone else

Sometimes Sophie doesn't get why these weird pieces of fabric on models pass for fashionable clothes or even art objects.

PASS OFF – 1) to make people believe that something is real; 2) to happen or pass in a particular way

Collin was terrified because he couldn't get the original painting. He hoped that this copy would pass off (1) as the real thing and that the exhibition would pass off (2) without any troubles.

PASS ON – 1) to die; 2) to give someone something (usually something that was given to you by someone else); 3) to decline, miss or reject something (e.g. a chance)

Charles passed on (1) last Friday. This became a huge tragedy for his whole family: they grieved ... the money they lost. One week ago, Charles passed all his shares on (2) to his friend Brandon - and Brandon was no fool, he decided not to pass on (3) the opportunity to get rich.

PASS OUT – 1) to distribute something; 2) to graduate or complete a course (rarely used, usually about military schools); 3) to collapse, become unconscious;

Two men were standing on the stairs passing out (1) the leaflets with the names of those who died during the last attack. When Pat got one of these leaflets, she saw a familiar name. That was her friend who had passed the medical courses out (2) with her not so long ago. The last time Pat saw her, she was helping injured soldiers in the hospital. The news made Pat feel dizzy and she passed out (3).

PASS OVER – 1) to choose someone younger or less experienced to give them a job or a reward, instead of giving it to someone who was supposed to get it; 2) to ignore something, to not talk about something

“That’s obvious that you were passed over (1) for promotion. Why’re you still working there? Just quit!”

“I won’t! Let’s pass over (2) this topic, I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”

PASS UP – 1) to refuse something like an opportunity

She invited me to Selena’s concert. Although I don’t listen to this kind of music, I couldn’t pass up the chance to spend the evening with her.

Test your knowledge of phrasal verbs with 'pass' here:

Test 1

Test 2