hard pass
noun
: a firm refusal or rejection of something (such as an offer)
Then poor Gendry asks Arya to be his lady, but Arya gives him a hard pass.—
Rob Bricken
Rob Bricken… the residents of Gunbarrel speak with a unified and unwavering voice: "No thank you, Mr. Mayor! Hard pass."—R. M. O'Dea
R. M. O'DeaThat disclaimer was disregarded by some who found Turner's suggestion too extreme. A home run derby in a regular season game? Is this hockey and its penalty shootouts? Hard pass.—Jorge Castillo
Jorge CastilloTake a hard pass on the house cocktails, and stick with beer or wine. Or skip the booze altogether …—Greg Cox
Greg CoxExamples of hard pass in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The time commitment, the awkward small talk during exercises…a hard pass, and last resort, just like surgery.
—Kelli Acciardo, Allure, 20 Sep. 2024
So, leaving my children in the kids’ club with strangers was initially a hard pass for me.
—Essence, 29 July 2024
Of course, most makeup products are subjective, and one person’s hard pass could be another’s treasure.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 15 Jan. 2024
The Hard Pass: A hard pass redirects a suitor’s love and turns it into hate.
—Evan Waite, The New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2024
As for the parties that don’t have adequate seating or ideal circumstances, food stations should be a hard pass.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024
However, having his music on in the bedroom is a hard pass for Ginuwine.
—Stephanie Sengwe, Peoplemag, 30 Jan. 2024
For every baked feta pasta (swoon) there are three pasta chips (hard pass).
—Emily Heil, Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2024
Some claim that the treatment eases inflammation, but If that’s a hard pass, doctor approved cosmetic procedures will be offered here too, as of next year.
—Carole Sovocool, Robb Report, 22 Dec. 2023
Kelli Acciardo, Allure, 20 Sep. 2024
So, leaving my children in the kids’ club with strangers was initially a hard pass for me.
—Essence, 29 July 2024
Of course, most makeup products are subjective, and one person’s hard pass could be another’s treasure.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 15 Jan. 2024
The Hard Pass: A hard pass redirects a suitor’s love and turns it into hate.
—Evan Waite, The New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2024
As for the parties that don’t have adequate seating or ideal circumstances, food stations should be a hard pass.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024
However, having his music on in the bedroom is a hard pass for Ginuwine.
—Stephanie Sengwe, Peoplemag, 30 Jan. 2024
For every baked feta pasta (swoon) there are three pasta chips (hard pass).
—Emily Heil, Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2024
Some claim that the treatment eases inflammation, but If that’s a hard pass, doctor approved cosmetic procedures will be offered here too, as of next year.
—Carole Sovocool, Robb Report, 22 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hard pass.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Hard pass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard%20pass. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
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