pass on
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb (transitive):
- To transmit or convey something to someone else: To give, send, or transfer an object, piece of information, or responsibility to another person.
- To die (euphemism): A gentle or indirect way of saying someone has died.
Verb (intransitive):
- To proceed or move forward: To continue on a journey or to the next stage.
Usage
- As a transitive verb, "pass on" requires a direct object (the thing being transferred) and often an indirect object (the recipient). The structure is typically "pass [something] on to [someone]."
- As an intransitive verb, it can be used without a direct object to indicate continuation.
- The euphemistic meaning for death is used without an object.
Examples
- Transitive Verb (Transferring an object/information):
- Transitive Verb (Euphemism for death):
- Intransitive Verb (Proceed):
Advanced Usage
- "to pass on an opportunity": To decline or choose not to take advantage of a chance.
- "to pass on a legacy": To bequeath traditions, values, or property to the next generation.
Variants and Related Words
- Passalong (n/adj): Something that is passed on, often used in business contexts (e.g., a passalong cost).
- Hand down: A synonym often used for traditions, laws, or physical objects through generations.
- Bequeath: A more formal synonym, specifically for leaving property or a legacy in a will.
Synonyms
- Transmit: To send or convey from one person or place to another.
- Convey: To communicate or make known; to transfer.
- Transfer: To move something from one place, person, or position to another.
- Relay: To receive and pass on (information or a message).
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Pass along: Often interchangeable with "pass on" in the context of transmitting information or objects.
- Pass over: To ignore, skip, or fail to promote someone; also to die (euphemism).
- Pass down: To give or teach something to a younger generation.
Related Idioms
- Pass on the baton: To hand over a responsibility or duty to someone else. (From relay racing)
- Passed on to a better place: A common euphemistic idiom meaning someone has died.
Verb
- transmit information
- Please communicate this message to all employees
- pass along the good news
- cause be distributed
- This letter is being circulated among the faculty
- refer to another person for decision or judgment
- She likes to relegate difficult questions to her colleagues
- give to or transfer possession of
- She passed the family jewels on to her daughter-in-law
- move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
- Time marches on
- transmit (knowledge or skills)
- give a secret to the Russians
- leave your name and address here
- impart a new skill to the students
- place into the hands or custody of
- hand me the spoon, please
- Turn the files over to me, please
- He turned over the prisoner to his lawyers