pass up

verb

passed up; passing up; passes up

transitive verb

: to let go by without accepting or taking advantage of

pass up a chance for promotion

also : decline, reject

Synonyms

• balk (at)
• decline
• deselect
• disapprove
• negative
• nix
• pass
• refuse
• reject
• reprobate
• repudiate
• spurn
• throw out
• throw over
• turn down

Examples of pass up in a Sentence

I must pass up the offer to be chairman of this event.

Recent Examples on the Web

While tailback isn’t a need, only foolish franchises pass up adding generational talents such as Jeanty. —Omar Kelly, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2025

As Reuter mentioned, the Panthers may have bigger needs than a tight end in the first round, but Warren may be too good of a talent to pass up. —John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 2025

Braden Schneider tied the score, but Faber gave the Wild their one-goal lead back after a great job by Freddy Gaudreau in the corner to get the puck, protect the puck and win the battle before getting the puck to Johansson before his pass up top for Faber. —Michael Russo, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025

When niche projects pop up or new challenges arise, leaders may have to choose between overwhelming their current team or passing up on a potentially lucrative opportunity. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pass up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup