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pass

pass

43 2.3
A short try at doing something
  • noun
  • /pæs/
: intento
  • This is a guilt-free pass for you to go back inside and work.

When we started, it was only a few pass.

Examples

  • - No no, for a first pass, listen, that was fantastic.

  • Just one more pass.

  • But you could do a pass like this and see how you feel.

  • And we're going to make multiple passes at doing this.

  • Before going to bed, Owen makes one last pass in his lab manual.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Enough respect to take another pass at my dissertation.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • That is to say, there are details there that the first pass didn't quite capture.

  • They're looking for someone to do a new pass on the script.

  • Using a service like ours to take a first pass at something can eliminate a lot of expensive searches.

    Academic text (2004)
  • After several attempts, he finally made a successful pass at solving the problem.

Synonyms

attempt
vspass
∞ 1.0

A try to do something, often when it is difficult

is usually less determined and is a shorter, unsure try
go
vspass
208 1.6

A try or turn to do something

is usually a short attempt rather than a longer turn or period
crack
vspass
  • UK
95 4.0

An attempt to do something

is specifically a brief try made when not sure it will work
whirl
vspass
  • Informal
16 6.3

A try at something new or unfamiliar

is mainly a brief attempt focused on uncertainty rather than novelty
fling
vspass
  • Informal
4 5.1

A short try at something you do not plan to continue

is a short, hesitant attempt made when success is uncertain

Idioms

To do very well in a test or task, often easily

Give responsibility for your job to the person who will replace you

3 7.8

Seem honest and believable when people check it

1 3.5

To give responsibility or control to another person during a planned change

do not pass go
  • Informal
9.1

To refuse someone any further chance and make them leave immediately

To ask or hope, often in prayer, not to have a hard time

Compounds

20 2.4

A paper or digital ticket that lets a passenger get on a plane

free pass
  • Informal
18 4.2

An excuse that lets someone avoid rules or blame because of their position

13 2.3

A written note from a teacher that allows a student to leave class and go into the hallway

11 3.4

A ticket that lets someone enter a place without paying

A low route through mountains that people or vehicles use

Hail Mary pass
  • Informal
4 8.4

A risky final attempt to succeed when little time remains

screen pass
  • Jargon
4 6.1

A short forward pass where teammates block to protect the receiver

2 3.8

A throw toward the opponent's end to move the ball downfield

pass catcher
  • Jargon
1 5.4

A player who receives forward passes, like a wide receiver or tight end

low-pass filter
  • Specialized
1 5.5

A device that lets slow changes in signals pass and reduces fast changes

hall pass
  • NSFW
1 8.3

Permission from a partner to be romantic or sexual with someone outside the relationship

1 3.9

An opening between a kitchen and dining room for passing food

1 2.8

A successful forward pass caught by a teammate

1 7.4

A mountain road through the Alps that links Innsbruck in Austria with Bolzano in Italy

1 7.1

A narrow mountain route between Pakistan and Afghanistan used for trade and army movements

8.0

A high mountain pass near Lake Tahoe where trapped pioneers ate human flesh to survive

flare pass
  • Jargon
7.0

A short forward pass to a player running toward the sideline in American football

forward pass
  • Specialized
4.6

A run of input data through a model to produce predictions

kitchen pass
  • Jargon
7.9

Permission to stop cooking for a short time, often said as a joke

lateral pass
  • Jargon
5.8

A pass that goes sideways or backward instead of forward in American football

high-pass filter
  • Specialized
4.4

An electronic part that lets high sounds pass and reduces low sounds

8.6

A risky pass that puts someone in danger or trouble

pussy pass
  • Slur
9.9

Special, unfair treatment given to a woman by others because of her gender

pass-through
  • Specialized
5.1

A setting that lets signals or data pass through unchanged to another device

pass receiver
  • Jargon
3.9

A football player who catches passes from the quarterback

pass-back
  • Specialized
3.2

A ball moved backward to a teammate to keep possession

4.2

Sending a file back to the person who handled it before for review

spot pass
  • Jargon
5.7

A throw that aims the ball at a planned place for the receiver to catch

How Serious

endeavor
  • US
171 4.1
effort
∞ 1.0
attempt
∞ 1.0
pass
43 2.3

Surface Forms

pass singular
passes plural

Etymology

Pass comes from the Old French passer and the Latin passus, meaning 'a step' or 'a go'. To take a pass at something is to take one single go or attempt, like taking one step toward it.