(~es, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
To ~ someone or something means to go past them without stopping.
As she ~ed the library door, the telephone began to ring...
Jane stood aside to let her ~...
I sat in the garden and watched the ~ing cars.
VERB: V n, V, V-ing
2.
When someone or something ~es in a particular direction, they move in that direction.
He ~ed through the doorway into Ward B...
The car ~ed over the body twice, once backward and then forward.
= go
VERB: V prep/adv, V prep/adv
3.
If something such as a road or pipe ~es along a particular route, it goes along that route.
After going over the Col de Vars, the route ~es through St-Paul-sur-Ubaye...
The road ~es a farmyard.
VERB: V prep/adv, V n
4.
If you ~ 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, ~ing a hand through his hair...
VERB: V n prep/adv
5.
If you ~ something to someone, you take it in your hand and give it to them.
Ken ~ed the books to Sergeant Parrott...
Pass me that bottle.
= hand
VERB: V n to n, V n n
6.
If something ~es or is ~ed from one person to another, the second person then has it instead of the first.
His mother’s small estate had ~ed to him after her death...
These powers were eventually ~ed to municipalities.
...a genetic trait, which can be ~ed from one generation to the next.
VERB: V to n, be V-ed to n, be V-ed from n to n
7.
If you ~ information to someone, you give it to them because it concerns them.
Officials failed to ~ vital information to their superiors...
VERB: V n to n
•
Pass on means the same as ~ .
I do not know what to do with the information if I cannot ~ it on...
From time to time he ~ed on confidential information to him...
He has written a note asking me to ~ on his thanks.
PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron) to n, V P n (not pron), also V n P to n
8.
If you ~ 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 ~ the ball back to you...
Dodd ~ed back to Flowers.
VERB: V n adv/prep, V prep/adv
•
Pass is also a noun.
Hirst rolled a short ~ to Merson.
N-COUNT
9.
When a period of time ~es, it happens and finishes.
He couldn’t imagine why he had let so much time ~ without contacting her...
Several minutes ~ed before the girls were noticed.
= go by
VERB: V, V
10.
If you ~ a period of time in a particular way, you spend it in that way.
The children ~ed the time playing in the streets...
To ~ the time they sang songs and played cards.
VERB: V n -ing/adv, V n
11.
If you ~ through a stage of development or a period of time, you experience it.
The country was ~ing through a grave crisis...
= go
VERB: V through n
12.
If an amount ~es a particular total or level, it becomes greater than that total or level.
They became the first company in their field to ~ the ?2 billion turn-over mark.
= exceed
VERB: V n
13.
If someone or something ~es a test, they are considered to be of an acceptable standard.
Kevin has just ~ed his driving test...
I didn’t ~.
? fail
VERB: V n, V
14.
A ~ in an examination, test, or course is a successful result in it.
An A-level ~ in Biology is preferred for all courses...
? fail
N-COUNT
15.
If someone in authority ~es 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 ~ed them last year...
The medical board would not ~ him fit for General Service.
VERB: V n, V n adj
16.
When people in authority ~ a new law or a proposal, they formally agree to it or approve it.
The Estonian parliament has ~ed a resolution declaring the republic fully independent...
VERB: V n
17.
When a judge ~es 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...
VERB: V n
18.
If you ~ comment or ~ a comment, you say something.
I don’t really know so I could not ~ comment on that...
VERB: V n
19.
If someone or something ~es for or ~es 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 ~ for the real thing...
...a woman ~ing as a man.
VERB: V for/as n, V for/as n
20.
If someone ~es water or ~es urine, they urinate.
A sensitive bladder can make you feel the need to ~ water frequently.
VERB: V n
21.
A ~ is a document that allows you to do something.
I got myself a ~ into the barracks...
N-COUNT
22.
A ~ is a narrow path or route between mountains.
The monastery is in a remote mountain ~.
N-COUNT; N-IN-NAMES
23.
see also ~ing
24.
If someone makes a ~ at you, they try to begin a romantic or sexual relationship with you. (INFORMAL)
Nancy wasn’t sure if Dirk was making a ~ at her.
PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR at n
25.
to ~ the buck: see buck
to ~ judgment: see judgment