7 [VN] (of an amount) to become greater than a particular total
SYNEXCEED:
Unemployment has now passed the three million mark.
Change
8 [V] ~ from sth to / into sth to change from one state or condition to another:
She had passed from childhood to early womanhood.
Time
9 [V] when time passes, it goes by:
Six months passed and we still had no news of them. * We grew more anxious with every passing day.
10 [VN] to spend time, especially when you are bored or waiting for sth:
We sang songs to pass the time. * How did you pass the evening?
End
11 [V] to come to an end; to be over:
They waited for the storm to pass.
test / exam
12 to achieve the required standard in an exam, a test, etc:
[V] I'm not really expecting to pass first time. * [VN] She hasn't passed her driving test yet.
OPPFAIL
13 [VN] to test sb and decide that they are good enough, according to an agreed standard:
The examiners passed all the candidates.
OPPFAIL
law / proposal
14 [VN] to accept a proposal, law, etc. by voting:
The bill was passed by 360 votes to 280.
Happen
15 [V] to be allowed:
I don't like it, but I'll let it pass (= will not object). * Her remarks passed without comment (= people ignored them).
16 ~ (between A and B) to happen; to be said or done:
[V] They'll never be friends again after all that has passed between them. * [V-ADJ] His departure passed unnoticed.
Not know
17 [V] ~ (on sth) to say that you do not know the answer to a question, especially during a QUIZ:
'What's the capital of Peru?' 'I'll have to pass on that one.' * 'Who wrote 'Catch-22'?' 'Pass (= I don't know).'
Not want
18 [V] ~ (on sth) to say that you do not want sth that is offered to you:
Thanks. I'm going to pass on dessert, if you don't mind.
say / state sth
19 [VN] ~ sth (on sb/sth) to say or state sth, especially officially:
The court waited in silence for the judge to pass sentence. * It's not for me to pass judgement on your behaviour. * The man smiled at the girl and passed a friendly remark.
belief / understanding
20 [VN] ~ belief, understanding, etc. (formal) to go beyond the limits of what you can believe, understand, etc:
It passes belief (= is impossible to believe) that she could do such a thing.
In card games
21 [V] to refuse to play a card or make a BID when it is your turn
From the body
22 [VN] to send sth out from the body as or with waste matter:
If you're passing blood you ought to see a doctor.
IDIOMS
Come to pass (old use) to happen
Not pass your lips
If words do not pass your lips, you say nothing
If food or drink does not pass your lips, you eat or drink nothing
pass the hat round / around (informal) to collect money from a number of people, for example to buy a present for sb
Pass muster to be accepted as satisfactory
Pass the time of day (with sb) to greet sb and have a short conversation with them
Pass water (formal) to URINATE
PHRASALVERBS
pass as sb/sth = PASSFORSB/STH
Pass away
1 (also pass on) to die. People say 'pass away' to avoid saying 'die':