to pass off
1
3.9
- phrasal verb
- /pæs ɔf/
- After the sudden outburst, she hoped that her anger would pass off soon so they could have a nice evening together.
Examples
-
And in fact, studies are showing us that our epigenome is actually affecting what we're passing off to our offspring.
-
I guess my last question before you pass off the keys to me, how much do you guys typically plan to make in a day?
-
She was smug because she had enjoyed herself, and the visit had passed off without major incident.
Fiction book (1997) -
"Put your head between your knees, lass," he instructed, pushing on the back of my neck, "'til the faintness passes off." "I know what to do," I said irritably, doing it nonetheless.
Fiction book (1991) -
As the hours went by, the tension in the room began to pass off, leaving a sense of calm behind.
-
With time, the pain from the injury started to pass off, allowing him to resume his normal activities.
Synonyms
454
1.2
To slowly become less visible, bright, or loud
145
1.0
To move into a different state or condition
106
4.0
An effect or feeling that becomes less strong and then stops
86
3.0
To become weaker and then disappear over time
66
2.8
To become less strong little by little
55
3.8
To become less strong, especially for bad weather, pain, or pressure
53
3.6
To become less serious or be forgotten over time
52
4.8
Become less strong, as with pain, noise, or excitement
46
4.1
Gradually become less strong until a feeling is gone
44
2.7
To become less strong or loud over time
24
2.6
Become less in number, amount, or quality
22
4.3
To become less in amount or quality
22
3.9
Gradually become harder to see or quieter until it disappears
19
4.0
To become gradually less strong or severe
9
4.2
To become quieter and then stop
4
3.3
To become less over time
4
9.9
To gradually fade away
1
9.9
To disappear slowly like mist
1
4.8
To lose energy or interest slowly until it fades
Antonyms
How Persistent
Surface Forms
Morphology
pass + off
The particle verb 'pass off' conveys a sense of moving something 'off' or away from importance, which gives learners a partial clue from the constituents ('pass' = move/transfer, 'off' = away). However, the specific pragmatic sense of treating something as unimportant or presenting it falsely is idiomatic and not fully predictable from the literal meanings, so a B1 learner who only knows the base words may not reliably infer the exact meaning.
Etymology
Pass off paints the image of a storm or strong feeling that 'passes' and moves 'off' into the distance, leaving things calmer. So it means 'to gradually disappear'.