pass up

verb

passed up; passing up; passes up

transitive verb

: to let go by without accepting or taking advantage of
pass up a chance for promotion
also : decline, reject

Examples of pass up in a Sentence

I must pass up the offer to be chairman of this event.
Recent Examples on the Web This Rottweiler pumpkin carving can't be passed up this Halloween. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2023 Yet, in 2023 alone, Alabama passed up more than $2 billion in federal money for Medicaid. Hannah Denham | Hdenham@al.com, al, 15 Sep. 2023 But her sister passed up the chance to join the Boston band whose galvanizing loud-quiet-loud sound went on to inspire Kurt Cobain and many others who would better monetize it. Geoff Edgers, Washington Post, 15 Sep. 2023 But the GOP actually passed up on a chance to discuss Hunter’s financial records. Tori Otten, The New Republic, 14 Sep. 2023 Then, early in the third quarter, McCarthy hit Roman Wilson on a deep crossing route from the UNLV 47-yard line, who turned the pass up the sideline for a touchdown. Jared Ramsey, Detroit Free Press, 9 Sep. 2023 Hopkins looks forward to playing other teams that passed up on him, including the Lions, Giants and 49ers. Sportsday Staff, Dallas News, 8 Sep. 2023 The movie has shattered numerous records, including becoming the top-grossing movie in Warner Bros.’ history after passing up the final Harry Potter pic, not adjusted for inflation. Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Sep. 2023 Federica had planned to supervise the effort, but had had to cancel at the last minute when a friend offered her a singing gig that was too good to pass up. Lara Vapnyar, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pass up.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pass up was in 1896

Dictionary Entries Near pass up

Cite this Entry

“Pass up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pass%20up. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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