Phrasal Verbs

pass up

This page is about the phrasal verb pass up

INFORMAL

Meaning

If you pass up an opportunity or an invitation, you choose not to take the opportunity or accept the invitation.

Synonym

turn down, decline

For example

  • pass up sth Bill passed up the opportunity to study music in a top university. He formed his own band instead.

  • pass sth up I had to pass the invitation up as I already had an appointment at that time.

Nouns often used as objects with pass up: invitation, chance, opportunity, window of opportunity, shot (at doing something)

Quick Quiz

Julian passed up the chance to study at Oxford University because he

a. wasn't clever enough

b. wanted to study at Cambridge

c. failed the entrance exam
a) wasn't clever enough b) wanted to study at Cambridge c) failed the entrance exam

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1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context

Contributor: Matt Errey