pass away
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle away
Meanings
Die, used as a polite expression
The gentle way to say die. Safe in any situation.
Why “away”? Something slowly becomes weaker until it is gone.
“Her grandfather passed away.”
“Their neighbour passed away in hospital.”
“The old singer passed away at ninety.”
Don't confuse with
Pass away means die, used as a polite expression. Pass back means return something by passing it.
Test yourself
“Her grandfather passed away.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
pass back
A contrast learners often mix up
Return something by passing it
chip away
Same away pattern: fading
Gradually reduce something a little at a time
die away
Same away pattern: fading
Lose intensity until silent
drift away
Same away pattern: fading
Slip out of awareness slowly; Gradually lose contact with a person or group
eat away
Same away pattern: fading
Gradually destroy something by erosion or worry
ebb away
Same away pattern: fading
Gradually weaken or recede
explain away
Same away pattern: fading
Give reasons that make a problem seem less serious
fade away
Same away pattern: fading
Gradually become less visible, audible or strong
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