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pass over

B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words

To not choose someone or to ignore something on purpose.

Literal meaning: To move over something without stopping at it.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic neutral

To fail to select or promote someone, often despite their expectation or merit.

"Despite years of hard work, she was passed over for promotion in favour of a less experienced colleague."

Grammar: separable
2 B2 neutral

To deliberately skip or ignore a topic or detail when speaking or writing.

"The report passes over the most controversial findings without any explanation."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Frequently used in professional contexts: being passed over for promotion is a very common usage. Also used when a speaker or writer deliberately skips a topic. The passive form 'be passed over' is especially frequent.

Commonly used with

promotion job role opportunity detail topic

Forms

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

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