pass down
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle down
Meanings
Give something to a younger generation
Why “down”? Movement goes from high to low.
“The watch was passed down to her son.”
“The farm was passed down to the youngest child.”
Don't confuse with
Pass down means give something to a younger generation. Pass up means decline or fail to take an opportunity.
Test yourself
“The watch was passed down to her son.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
pass up
A contrast learners often mix up
Decline or fail to take an opportunity
bear down
Same down pattern: downward
Move quickly and threateningly toward someone
beat down
Same down pattern: downward
(of sun or rain) fall strongly and steadily
bend down
Same down pattern: downward
Lean the upper body downward
blow down
Same down pattern: downward
Cause something to fall by blowing
break down
Same down pattern: downward
(of a vehicle or machine) stop working; Lose emotional control and start crying; Separate something into smaller parts to understand it; (of negotiations or relationships) fail or end; Force a door open by hitting it; Decompose into simpler chemical substances
bring down
Same down pattern: downward
Cause something to fall or land; Make something lower in level or amount; Cause a government or leader to lose power; Make someone feel sad or depressed
climb down
Same down pattern: downward
Descend by gripping or stepping
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