Phrasal Verb - Passing Over
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.Definition
To 'pass over' primarily means to disregard, ignore, or omit someone or something, often in favor of another option. This can manifest in several ways:
- Exclusion from selection or promotion: This is a very common usage, implying that an individual or entity was deliberately not chosen for an opportunity, a position, or a reward, despite potentially being qualified, while others were selected. It often carries a connotation of unfairness or being overlooked.
- To skip or omit information: To deliberately or inadvertently leave out certain details, facts, or topics when discussing or presenting something.
- To ignore or overlook a fault or transgression: To choose not to address or punish someone for a mistake or minor offense, often out of leniency or a desire to move on.
- To go across or beyond something (less common/literal): While less frequent in its phrasal verb sense, it can literally mean to move from one side to another, or metaphorically to transcend a difficulty.
Examples
| No. | Example |
|---|---|
| 1 | Despite his extensive experience, the company decided to pass over John for the promotion, opting for a younger candidate. |
| 2 | The editor made a conscious decision to pass over the controversial chapter, believing it would detract from the main narrative. |
| 3 | I can't believe they passed over my application without even granting an interview; I met all the qualifications. |
| 4 | The referee chose to pass over the minor foul, allowing play to continue without interruption. |
| 5 | During the Q&A session, the speaker seemed to pass over any questions regarding the company's recent financial troubles. |
| 6 | Many talented artists were unfortunately passed over in favor of those with more commercial appeal during the awards nominations. |
| 7 | It's frustrating when your contributions are consistently passed over, making you feel undervalued. |
| 8 | The teacher decided to pass over the student's late submission, understanding the personal difficulties they were facing. |
| 9 | When drafting the policy, they intentionally passed over several key details that might have complicated its approval. |
| 10 | After weeks of waiting, she learned her proposal had been passed over in favor of a more conventional approach. |