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."
separable
pass over
B2 neutral separable transitive
To ignore or not choose someone or something, especially when they might have expected to be selected.
In plain English
To not choose someone or to ignore something on purpose.
What does "pass over" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To move over something without stopping at it.
Actually means
To not choose someone or to ignore something on purpose.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "pass over"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
promotion job role opportunity detail topic
How to conjugate "pass over"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "pass over" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "pass over" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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