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pass out

A2 informal mixed both
In simple words

To suddenly fall unconscious, or to hand something out to a lot of people.

Literal meaning: To move out of consciousness; to send things out to people.

Meanings

1 A2 idiomatic informal

To lose consciousness suddenly, often due to heat, shock, or intoxication.

"It was so hot in the stadium that three people passed out and had to be helped outside."

Grammar: inseparable
2 A2 neutral

To distribute something to a group of people.

"The volunteer passed out free samples to everyone waiting in the queue."

Grammar: separable
3 C1 idiomatic formal

(British, military/formal) To complete a course of military or police training and graduate in a ceremony.

"She passed out of Sandhurst and was commissioned as a second lieutenant."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

The 'lose consciousness' sense is intransitive and inseparable. The 'distribute' sense is transitive and separable ('pass the papers out'). The 'lose consciousness' sense is very common in everyday and medical contexts. In British military contexts, 'pass out' also means to complete training and graduate.

Commonly used with

faint heat drunk exhaustion flyers leaflets

Forms

Base
pass out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
passes out
he/she/it
Past simple
passed out
yesterday
Past participle
passed out
have + pp
-ing form
passing out
continuous

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