How To Use Pass Out, Pass Away, Pass On & Pass Up In Real English Conversation | English Podcast

Added: 2026-05-12

[00:00:08]Hello everyone. Welcome back to Business English Desk. I'm Laura.

[00:00:14]>> And I'm Jamie. And today we are talking about phrasal verbs with pass.

[00:00:19]>> Yes. And these four are ones you will hear constantly in conversations, at work, in movies, in real life. like genuinely everywhere.

[00:00:30]>> Everywhere. And once you know them, you'll start noticing them all the time.

[00:00:35]>> All the time. Okay, let's get into it.

[00:00:38]First one, pass out. Okay, so most people hear pass out and they immediately think someone fainted.

[00:00:45]>> Right. Like you lose consciousness. Your body just gives out completely.

[00:00:50]Everything goes dark.

[00:00:52]>> Exactly. like she passed out during the meeting >> and the whole room just stops.

[00:00:58]Everything freezes.

[00:01:00]>> Like someone drops and suddenly nobody knows what to do.

[00:01:05]>> Everyone just looks at each other.

[00:01:07]>> Complete chaos.

[00:01:08]>> Complete chaos. Or he passed out at the sight of blood.

[00:01:13]>> That happens more than people admit.

[00:01:16]>> Way more than people admit. Like some people are completely fine until they see blood and then >> gone.

[00:01:24]>> Gone instantly.

[00:01:25]>> I actually knew someone like that. A grown adult. Big guy.

[00:01:29]>> Tough looking. Oh no.

[00:01:32]>> Passed out at a routine blood test.

[00:01:35]>> At a routine test.

[00:01:37]>> The nurse was more shocked than he was.

[00:01:41]>> I bet she was. I bet she was.

[00:01:46]>> We don't judge. We absolutely do not judge. And in a more casual sense, pass out also means to fall asleep suddenly, usually from pure exhaustion.

[00:01:58]>> Oh, yes. Like he passed out on the couch as soon as he got home.

[00:02:03]>> Like didn't even make it to the bedroom.

[00:02:05]>> Didn't even try. Coat still on.

[00:02:08]>> Shoe is still on.

[00:02:11]>> Everything's still on. Just out.

[00:02:13]>> We've all had that day. every single one of us. Like you come home from a long week, sit down for one second, >> and that's it.

[00:02:22]>> That's it. You're done.

[00:02:25]>> Passed out. And I love that phrase because it captures exactly that feeling.

[00:02:31]>> Like you didn't choose to sleep, >> right? Your body just made the decision for you.

[00:02:38]>> Your body said, "We're done. Goodbye."

[00:02:41]>> Exactly. And then there's the third meaning which is very practical and very professional. To pass out something means to distribute it, to hand something out to a group of people.

[00:02:54]>> Like can you pass out these handouts before the session starts?

[00:02:59]>> Yes. Super common in classrooms, in meetings, in workshops, anywhere there's a group.

[00:03:05]>> She passed out the welcome packages to all the new employees. like she went around the room, gave everyone, passed them out, >> or can someone pass out the agenda before we get started?

[00:03:16]>> Yes, that's something you hear in literally every meeting.

[00:03:20]>> Every single one.

[00:03:21]>> And it sounds so natural, >> so professional, >> so easy to use.

[00:03:26]>> And here's something interesting. All three meanings of pass out involve something going from one state to another.

[00:03:33]>> Oh, that's a good point. Like consciousness to unconsciousness, >> awake to asleep, >> and one person to many people.

[00:03:42]>> Like passing something outward.

[00:03:45]>> Exactly. The word out carries that sense of moving outward.

[00:03:50]>> That's actually really helpful for remembering it.

[00:03:52]>> Right. Once you see the pattern, it sticks.

[00:03:55]>> It really does. So, three meanings for pass out.

[00:03:58]>> Faint or lose consciousness, >> fall asleep from exhaustion, >> or distribute something to a group. All three super common.

[00:04:06]>> All three you will use.

[00:04:08]>> Guaranteed. Okay. Number two. And this one we want to handle with care.

[00:04:14]>> Yes. Pass away. So pass away means to die, but it's a much gentler way of saying it.

[00:04:22]>> Much softer, much more respectful, much more compassionate.

[00:04:26]>> Like instead of saying he died, you say he passed away. And it carries so much more warmth, so much more care, >> right? Like, we are deeply sorry to hear that your father passed away.

[00:04:40]>> That's how you express condolences in English, in a professional email, in a personal message, in a card.

[00:04:48]>> Always passed away, not died in those sensitive moments.

[00:04:52]>> Because died is not wrong. It's just it's very blunt, >> very direct. And in moments of grief, directness can feel harsh, >> unkind even.

[00:05:03]>> Exactly. So passed away softens it.

[00:05:06]>> Makes it feel more human, >> more gentle.

[00:05:09]>> And in the news, you'll always hear it.

[00:05:11]The beloved actor passed away at the age of 80.

[00:05:15]>> News anchors always use it. Journalists always use it because it's respectful.

[00:05:20]It's dignified. And in official announcements at a company, you might see it is with deep sadness that we share that our colleague has passed away.

[00:05:31]>> Like even in professional settings, this is the phrase people use >> always.

[00:05:35]>> And passing as a noun works the same way.

[00:05:38]>> Like we are saddened by the passing of our colleague.

[00:05:43]>> His passing noun he passed away verb.

[00:05:47]>> Both used constantly, both respectful.

[00:05:50]And this is what we call a euphemism in English.

[00:05:53]>> A softer word for something difficult.

[00:05:56]>> And pass away is one of the most important euphemisms to know >> because you will need it >> at some point in real life. You will need to express this in English.

[00:06:08]>> And knowing the right phrase matters so much.

[00:06:12]>> It really does. Like it shows respect.

[00:06:16]It shows empathy. It shows that you understand the weight of the moment >> and that's what language is really for.

[00:06:24]>> Exactly. Not just communication but connection.

[00:06:29]>> Human connection. Always use it with sensitivity.

[00:06:33]>> Always. Okay. Number three, pass on.

[00:06:38]Now, this one has some really beautiful and really practical meanings.

[00:06:42]>> It does. like it works in so many different situations.

[00:06:48]>> So many. So the first meaning of pass on is to give something to someone else to transfer it to share it.

[00:06:57]>> Like can you pass this message to the rest of the team?

[00:07:00]>> Yes. You're moving information from one person to another >> like a relay. You receive it and then you pass it on.

[00:07:08]>> Exactly. Or in an email. Please pass this on to whoever is responsible.

[00:07:14]>> So common like you forward it, you share it, you make sure it gets to the right person.

[00:07:21]>> And in professional communication, you hear this constantly.

[00:07:25]>> Constantly.

[00:07:26]She passed on the feedback from the client.

[00:07:29]>> Like >> the client said something important and she made sure the right people heard it.

[00:07:35]>> Passed it on.

[00:07:37]>> Didn't let it get lost. And that's actually really important in workplaces.

[00:07:43]>> Really important. Like information gets lost all the time.

[00:07:48]>> All the time. And pass it on is the solution.

[00:07:52]>> Exactly. And then there's the second meaning which is really meaningful and honestly really beautiful. To pass on something means to share it with the next generation like wisdom or knowledge or skills or traditions.

[00:08:10]>> Like she wanted to pass on everything she learned over 20 years in the industry to the younger employees.

[00:08:17]>> Like mentorship, like legacy.

[00:08:20]>> Yes. Like I've built something and I want to make sure it doesn't disappear with me.

[00:08:26]>> I want to pass it on. That's such a powerful idea.

[00:08:30]>> It really is. Or these values have been passed on through generations >> like grandmother to mother, mother to daughter, daughter to granddaughter, >> generation to generation, passed on. And you see it in companies too.

[00:08:47]>> Oh yes. Like a company culture that gets passed on from founder to team, from team to new hires.

[00:08:55]>> That's how traditions survive. That's how legacies are built >> through passing on. Beautiful. And the third meaning is to decline something.

[00:09:06]To say no politely without a big deal about it, >> like I think I'll pass on >> dessert tonight.

[00:09:15]Very relatable, >> right? Like you don't want it or you can't have it. But either way, you just politely say pass.

[00:09:23]>> No drama.

[00:09:24]>> No explanation needed. just I'll pass on that.

[00:09:29]>> Or in a professional context, we've decided to pass on this particular candidate.

[00:09:35]>> Like, we considered them. We looked carefully, but we're saying no.

[00:09:40]>> Professionally, politely.

[00:09:42]>> We're going to pass on this investment opportunity.

[00:09:46]>> They decided not to take it. Not the right time, not the right fit.

[00:09:50]>> They passed on it. And pass on also carries that same gentle meaning as pass away, >> right? Like he passed on peacefully, surrounded by his family, >> very soft, very poetic, >> used in formal or written contexts mostly >> like obituaries >> or formal announcements, >> very dignified.

[00:10:13]>> So pass on has four meanings.

[00:10:17]>> Transfer information to someone.

[00:10:19]>> Share with future generations. decline something politely >> or a gentle way to say someone has died.

[00:10:27]>> Four meanings, >> all very natural, >> all very useful >> and all very different from each other.

[00:10:33]>> That's what makes it such a rich phrase.

[00:10:36]>> Really rich. Okay, last one. Number four, pass up. Now, pass up means to not take advantage of an opportunity. To let something go, even when it's right there in front of you, >> like a chance was offered to you, it was yours to take and you didn't take it.

[00:10:57]>> Exactly. And there's almost always a feeling attached to it, >> right? Like regret >> or at least significance like this wasn't a small thing.

[00:11:07]>> This mattered >> and you passed it up. Like, I can't believe she passed up that promotion.

[00:11:14]>> Like, it was right there. All she had to do was say yes.

[00:11:18]>> And she didn't. She passed it up and everyone around her is like, "Why?

[00:11:23]>> Why would you do that?"

[00:11:25]>> Like, we would have taken that >> in a heartbeat.

[00:11:28]>> In a heartbeat.

[00:11:29]>> Or he passed up a chance to study abroad and he's regretted it ever since.

[00:11:34]>> That ever since really adds weight.

[00:11:37]>> It does. like the opportunity came and went and he's been thinking about it ever since.

[00:11:43]>> That feeling of what if.

[00:11:45]>> The what if is the worst.

[00:11:48]>> The absolute worst. What if I hadn't passed it up?

[00:11:51]>> What if I had just said yes?

[00:11:54]>> Heavy.

[00:11:54]>> Very heavy. And in business, we can't afford to pass up this deal.

[00:11:59]>> Like this is too good. This is too important. We have to take it.

[00:12:03]>> We cannot pass it up.

[00:12:04]>> Or don't pass up this opportunity. like someone encouraging you, like grab it, don't hesitate, don't let it go, don't pass it up.

[00:12:14]>> And you'll hear it in motivational contexts, too.

[00:12:17]>> Oh, yes. Like successful people don't pass up the opportunities that scare them.

[00:12:23]>> Ooh, that's deep, >> right? Like the scary ones are often the best ones >> and the ones people pass up >> because fear is real.

[00:12:33]>> Fear is very real, >> but so is regret. And regret lasts longer.

[00:12:40]>> It really does. And here's something important about pass up and pass on.

[00:12:45]>> Yes, because people sometimes mix them up.

[00:12:48]>> Both can mean to decline something, but the feeling is very different.

[00:12:54]>> Pass on is lighter, more casual, like, I'll pass on the extra dessert.

[00:12:59]>> No big deal. Easy. But pass up involves something significant, >> something important, something you might look back on, >> like a job offer, >> a promotion, >> a life-changing opportunity.

[00:13:11]>> She passed up a once- ina lifetime chance.

[00:13:15]>> That weight, that significance, that's pass up.

[00:13:19]>> Small things pass on.

[00:13:21]>> Big opportunities pass up.

[00:13:23]>> That distinction really matters.

[00:13:26]>> Really matters. And once you feel that difference, you'll never mix them up again.

[00:13:30]>> Never. So pass up means to decline a significant opportunity. Usually something you'll think about later >> and wish you had taken.

[00:13:41]>> Hopefully not.

[00:13:42]>> Hopefully not.

[00:13:43]>> But >> now you know the phrase.

[00:13:46]>> Now you know it. Okay, role play time.

[00:13:50]>> Yes. Okay, so the scenario is two co-workers catching up on a Monday morning.

[00:13:59]>> Classic.

[00:13:59]>> Ready?

[00:14:00]>> Ready.

[00:14:01]>> Hey, Jamie. How was your weekend?

[00:14:03]>> Honestly, pretty good. But Friday, Friday was a lot.

[00:14:07]>> Oh, yeah. What happened?

[00:14:09]>> Okay, so did you hear about Marcus?

[00:14:12]>> No. What happened?

[00:14:14]>> He passed out during the all hands meeting on Friday afternoon.

[00:14:19]>> What? Seriously?

[00:14:21]>> Yes. Like right in the middle of it, the CEO was still talking and Marcus just went down.

[00:14:28]>> Oh my gosh. Is he okay?

[00:14:30]>> He's fine now. Apparently, he hadn't eaten anything since the night before.

[00:14:35]Just completely ran out of energy.

[00:14:37]>> That's so scary though. Like in front of the whole company.

[00:14:42]>> I know. Poor guy. Okay. But actually on a sadder note, did you hear about David's grandmother?

[00:14:51]>> Oh no.

[00:14:53]What happened?

[00:14:54]>> She passed away on Thursday night.

[00:14:57]>> Oh no. That's heartbreaking. David must be devastated.

[00:15:03]>> He is. He's taking some time off. Can you pass on the news to the rest of the team? I think people would want to know so they can reach out to him.

[00:15:11]>> Of course. I'll send a message to everyone this morning and I'll make sure we pass on our condolences as a team.

[00:15:19]>> That would mean a lot to him. Thank you.

[00:15:21]>> Of course. Hey, speaking of David, I heard something interesting about him last week.

[00:15:28]>> Oh, yeah. What?

[00:15:30]>> Apparently, he was offered the senior project manager position.

[00:15:35]>> Wait, really? The one that opened up after Karen left?

[00:15:39]>> That one. And he passed it up.

[00:15:42]>> He passed up a senior manager role.

[00:15:45]>> Are you serious? I know. Apparently, he said the timing wasn't right. He didn't feel ready.

[00:15:53]>> I mean, I respect that. Self-awareness is important, but still, that's a big opportunity to pass up.

[00:16:00]>> It really is. I hope he doesn't look back and regret it.

[00:16:05]>> Same. Although you know his mentor Sarah, >> of course, she's incredible.

[00:16:12]>> She's been passing on so much knowledge to him. Like everything she's built over 20 years, she's really investing in him.

[00:16:20]>> That's amazing. Like that's the kind of thing you can't learn from a textbook.

[00:16:26]>> Exactly. She's passing on real experience, real wisdom.

[00:16:31]>> That's so valuable. And honestly, maybe that's why David passed on the role for now. He wants to learn more before stepping up.

[00:16:41]>> That's actually a really mature way to look at it, >> right? Like maybe he's not passing it up forever, just not right now.

[00:16:51]>> That makes sense. Okay, I'm going to pass on the news about his grandmother to the team right now.

[00:16:58]>> Good idea. And remind everyone to eat something today. We don't want another passing out situation.

[00:17:05]Oh, noted. No more skipping meals.

[00:17:09]>> Exactly. And there you go. Did you catch all four?

[00:17:14]>> Passed out during the meeting. Fainted.

[00:17:17]>> She passed away on Thursday night. Died.

[00:17:20]>> Pass on the news to the team. Share information.

[00:17:24]>> Pass on our condolences. Transfer a message.

[00:17:28]>> Passed it up. Declined the senior manager role.

[00:17:32]>> Passing on knowledge. sharing wisdom with the next generation.

[00:17:36]>> Passed on the role for now. Declined politely.

[00:17:40]>> Pass on the news about his grandmother.

[00:17:43]Share information. Again, passing out situation. Fainting. All four phrasal verbs >> woven naturally into one real conversation.

[00:17:52]>> That's the magic. Once you know them, they just flow >> naturally >> without even trying.

[00:17:57]>> And that's the goal.

[00:17:58]>> Always.

[00:17:59]>> Okay, quiz time.

[00:18:00]>> Yes. Let's go. Listeners, fill in the blank.

[00:18:03]>> Think carefully >> and we'll give you the answer.

[00:18:06]>> Ready?

[00:18:06]>> Question one. The teacher asked one of the students to blank blank the exam papers to everyone in the class. Is it A pass away, B pass out, or C pass up?

[00:18:22]>> Think about it. The answer is B pass out.

[00:18:26]>> Yes. Distributing the papers, handing them out to everyone in the room.

[00:18:31]>> Pass out. Distribute. So common in classrooms and meetings.

[00:18:35]>> Question two. We were all heartbroken when we heard that our beloved professor had blank blank. Is it a passed on, B passed up, or C passed away?

[00:18:49]>> Feel the sentence. Feel the weight of it. The answer is C passed away.

[00:18:55]>> Yes. The most gentle and respectful phrase >> always used with care. Always.

[00:19:02]>> Question three. Can you blank blank this report to the finance team? They need it before end of day. Is it A pass up, B pass away, or C pass on?

[00:19:16]>> Think about it. The answer is C pass on.

[00:19:20]>> Yes. Transfer the report. Share it. Make sure the right people get it. Pass it on. So common in workplaces every single day. Question four. I worked so hard all week that I completely blank blank on the sofa the moment I got home Friday night. Is it A passed out, B passed on, or C passed up?

[00:19:51]>> Think carefully. The answer is A. Passed out. Yes. Fell asleep from exhaustion. Didn't even make it to bed.

[00:20:04]>> Coat still on.

[00:20:05]>> Shoes still on.

[00:20:07]>> Just out.

[00:20:09]>> We've all been there.

[00:20:11]>> Every Friday.

[00:20:12]>> Question five. She blanked blank an incredible job offer because she wasn't ready to relocate. Is it a passed away?

[00:20:22]B passed on or C passed up.

[00:20:27]>> Think carefully.

[00:20:30]The answer is C. Passed up.

[00:20:35]>> Yes. A significant opportunity. She let it go.

[00:20:39]>> Passed it up. And hopefully another one comes along.

[00:20:45]>> Hopefully. Question six. These family recipes have been blanked blanked through four generations. Is it A passed up, B passed out, or C passed on?

[00:21:01]>> Feel the meaning.

[00:21:03]The answer is C. Passed on.

[00:21:09]>> Yes. Shared through generations, family to family. That beautiful meaning of pass on >> legacy >> tradition love.

[00:21:21]>> Question seven. The company decided to blank blank the merger opportunity after reviewing the financials carefully. Is it A pass on B pass out or C pass away?

[00:21:37]>> Think about it. The answer is A. Pass on.

[00:21:44]>> Yes, they declined. Politely said no.

[00:21:48]Not the right fit.

[00:21:50]>> Passed on the merger. Smart business decision. Maybe.

[00:21:56]>> Maybe. We'll never know.

[00:21:59]>> We'll never know. Question eight.

[00:22:02]>> Last one.

[00:22:03]>> Don't dot dot dot this chance.

[00:22:07]Opportunities like this don't come around often.

[00:22:10]>> Is it A pass away, B pass out, or C pass up?

[00:22:16]>> Last one. Think carefully.

[00:22:20]The answer is C, pass up.

[00:22:25]>> Yes. Don't let this go. Don't miss it.

[00:22:27]>> Don't pass it up. Grab it. Take it.

[00:22:31]>> Say yes.

[00:22:32]>> Okay, everyone. How did you do? Eight questions. Drop your score in the comments.

[00:22:38]>> We genuinely read everyone.

[00:22:41]>> Every single one.

[00:22:42]>> And if you got one wrong, go back.

[00:22:44]>> Listen again.

[00:22:45]>> It will click.

[00:22:47]>> It always clicks.

[00:22:48]>> All right, let's bring it home.

[00:22:50]>> Today's four phrasal verbs, all with pass. Pass out, faint or lose consciousness, fall asleep from exhaustion, or distribute something to a group.

[00:23:02]>> Pass away. A gentle and respectful way to say someone has died. Always used with sensitivity. Always with care.

[00:23:10]>> Pass on. Share information with others.

[00:23:14]Pass wisdom to the next generation.

[00:23:17]Decline something politely or a soft way to say someone passed.

[00:23:22]>> And pass up to decline a significant opportunity, something important, something you might look back on.

[00:23:30]>> Four phrasal verbs. So many real situations, all of them natural, all of them useful.

[00:23:37]>> Your challenge this week, pick just one and use it >> in a real conversation, in a message, anywhere.

[00:23:44]>> And drop a sentence in the comments. We love reading them, >> every single one.

[00:23:49]>> If today helped you, hit that like button and subscribe for more.

[00:23:53]>> All right, everyone. This has been Business English Desk. I'm Laura.

[00:23:58]>> I'm Jamie. And we'll see you next time.

[00:24:00]Don't pass up your next opportunity.

[00:24:03]>> Goodbye everyone.

[00:24:04]>> Bye.