hard pass

noun

: a firm refusal or rejection of something (such as an offer)

Then poor Gendry asks Arya to be his lady, but Arya gives him a hard pass.

—Rob Bricken

… the residents of Gunbarrel speak with a unified and unwavering voice: "No thank you, Mr. Mayor! Hard pass."

—R. M. O'Dea

That disclaimer was disregarded by some who found Turner's suggestion too extreme. A home run derby in a regular season game? Is this hockey and its penalty shootouts? Hard pass.

—Jorge Castillo

Take a hard pass on the house cocktails, and stick with beer or wine. Or skip the booze altogether …

—Greg Cox

Examples of hard pass in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Slipping on snow or ice is a hard pass, but the Ugg Classic Suede Slippers? —Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 24 Aug. 2023

That development prompts a desperate attempt to round up the rest of the Justice League to halt Zod, starting with a very ornery Batman, who takes a hard pass on stepping back into the fray. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 June 2023

The new rules also set criteria for obtaining a hard pass — a set of standards that effectively establishes who, according to the White House, qualifies as a journalist worthy of routine access. —Paul Farhi, Washington Post, 9 May 2023

That was after DeBrusk was a victim of friendly fire, taking a hard pass from Hall off the head late in the first. —Matt Porter, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Apr. 2023

His wife took a hard pass on joining him. —Christopher Muther, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Mar. 2023

Some internet threads have also inquired about rinsing raw ground beef, and that’s a hard pass, too. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Feb. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

2014, in the meaning defined above