pass by

phrasal verb

passed by; passing by; passes by

: to happen without being noticed or acted upon by (someone)

Don't let this opportunity pass (you) by!

Examples of pass by in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While the idea of a one-time tax on more than 200 people has a long way to go before getting onto the ballot and would need to be passed by voters in November, the tempest around it captures the zeitgeist of angst and anger at the core of California. —Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026

Effortless young couples dressed in designer beachwear roam the lobby, while suited business executives pass by in the elevator on their way up to the Horizon Lounge—an exclusive space for guests to work, relax or eat while enjoying striking views of the Mediterranean coast. —Emily Adler, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Jan. 2026

The last major immigration reform bill passed by Congress was in 1996. —Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 1 Jan. 2026

Eight Democrats voted with Republicans, and the bill was later also passed by the House. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 31 Dec. 2025

Rhymes for pass by

• apply
• awry
• belie
• bely
• bigeye
• bonsai
• buckeye
• comply
• coxae
• decry
• defy
• deny