10 VERB If you pass a period of time in a particular way, you spend it in that way. □ [V n v-ing/adv] The children passed the time playing in the streets. □ [V n] To pass the time they sang songs and played cards.
11 VERB If you pass through a stage of development or a period of time, you experience it. □ [V + through ] The country was passing through a grave crisis.
12 VERB If an amount passes a particular total or level, it becomes greater than that total or level. □ [V n] They became the first company in their field to pass the £2 billion turn-over mark.
13 VERB If someone or something passes a test, they are considered to be of an acceptable standard. □ [V n] Kevin has just passed his driving test. □ [V ] I didn't pass.
14 N‑COUNT A pass in an examination, test, or course is a successful result in it. □ [+ in ] An A-level pass in Biology is preferred for all courses.
15 VERB If someone in authority passes a person or thing, they declare that they are of an acceptable standard or have reached an acceptable standard. □ [V n] Several popular beaches were found unfit for bathing although the government passed them. □ [V n adj] The medical board would not pass him fit for General Service.
16 VERB When people in authority pass a new law or a proposal, they formally agree to it or approve it. □ [V n] They passed a resolution declaring the republic fully independent.
17 VERB When a judge passes sentence on someone, he or she says what their punishment will be. □ [V n] Passing sentence, the judge said it all had the appearance of a con trick.
18 VERB If you pass comment or pass a comment, you say something. □ [V n] I don't really know so I could not pass comment on that.
19 VERB 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. □ [V + for/as ] Children's toy guns now look so realistic that they can often pass for the real thing. □ [V + for/as ] …a woman passing as a man.
20 VERB If someone passes water or passes urine, they urinate. □ [V n] 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. □ [+ into/for ] I got myself a pass into the barracks.
22 N‑COUNT A pass is a narrow path or route between mountains. □ The monastery is in a remote mountain pass.
23 → see also passing
24 PHRASE 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
26 to pass judgment → see judgment
▸ pass away PHRASAL VERB 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. □ [V P ] He unfortunately passed away last year.
▸ pass by PHRASAL VERB If you pass by something, you go past it or near it on your way to another place. □ [V P n] I see them pass by my house every day. □ [V P ] They were injured when a parked car exploded as their convoy passed by.
▸ pass off PHRASAL VERB If an event passes off without any trouble, it happens and ends without any trouble. □ [V P adv/prep] The main demonstration passed off peacefully.
▸ pass off as PHRASAL VERB If you pass something off as another thing, you convince people that it is that other thing. □ [V n P P n] He passed himself off as a senior psychologist. □ [V P n P n] I've tried to pass off my accent as a convent school accent. □ [be V -ed P P n] In some cases goat has been passed off as lamb.
▸ pass on
1 PHRASAL VERB If you pass something on to someone, you give it to them so that they have it instead of you. □ [V n P + to ] The Queen is passing the money on to a selection of her favourite charities. □ [V n P ] There is a risk of passing the virus on. □ [V P n + to ] The late Earl passed on much of his fortune to his daughter. □ [V P n] Tenants remain liable if they pass on their lease.
2 PHRASAL VERB 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. □ [V P n] They pass on their cost of borrowing and add to it their profit margin. □ [V n P + to ] I found we could make some saving and it is right to pass the savings on to the customer. [Also V n P , V P n + to ]
3 PHRASAL VERB 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. □ [V P ] He passed on at the age of 72.
4 → see also pass
▸ pass out
1 PHRASAL VERB If you pass out , you faint or collapse. □ [V P ] He felt sick and dizzy and then passed out.
2 PHRASAL VERB When a police, army, navy, or air force cadet passes out , he or she completes his or her training. [BRIT ] □ [V P ] He passed out in November 1924 and was posted to No 24 Squadron.
▸ pass over
1 PHRASAL VERB [usu passive] 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. □ [be V -ed P + for ] She claimed she was repeatedly passed over for promotion. □ [be V -ed P ] They've been rejected, disappointed, ignored, passed over.