pass up

phrasal verb·1 sense·particle up

Meanings

1

Decline or fail to take an opportunity

Why “up”? The action stops. With give up, up can show that someone stops trying.

Don't pass up this chance.
Don't decline this chance.
He passed up a chance to travel.
He chose not to take a chance to travel.

Don't confuse with

pass uppass off

Pass up means choose not to take a chance. Pass off means pretend something is another thing.

pass uppass on

Pass up means decline or fail to take an opportunity. Pass on means politely refuse an offer.

Test yourself

Don't pass up this chance. What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

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