it takes a pass

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it takes a pass" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is opting out of a situation or declining an opportunity. Example: "When it comes to the party this weekend, I think I'll take a pass and stay home instead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If ITW can't differentiate itself from the pack, it takes a pass.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The city's airports are chronically overstretched and it only takes a passing squall to create paralysis.

The Guardian - Business

Yet it only takes a passing police siren or an adjacent nightclub tipping empties into a recycling bin to bring our precious pasteboard conceit crashing down around our ears.

The Guardian - Opinion

It only takes a passing glance at a subway map to see that most of the system traverses Manhattan, the very seat of power and wealth.

Vice

And for the first four years -- it takes a year to pass it -- and then for the first four years only the poor are covered.

The New York Times

And once this landmark is passed – it takes a while, requiring great skill, guts and a working knowledge of the most wonderfully arcane vocabulary – there's the hunting.

The Guardian - Books

It takes a lot to throw a forward pass in reverse.

The New York Times - Sports

Also, it took a second pass to achieve these results.

The New York Times

It took a brilliant pass from Neymar in injury time to beat Peru.

The Guardian - Sport

Skip it, and take a pass as well on a "Manchego cheesecake" that's really a snake of cheese-flavored paste slithering across the plate, presumably on the hunt for the sugar it desperately needs.

The New York Times - Food

"He understood correctly that the unwillingness to work with people on both sides of the issue was one of the reasons why it took a century to pass health reform".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it takes a pass" when you want to express a deliberate decision to not engage in an activity or accept an offer. It's often used when the opportunity isn't appealing or suitable.

Common error

Avoid using "it takes a pass" to describe active involvement. This phrase means opting out, not participating.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it takes a pass" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating a decision to decline an offer or opportunity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a usable phrase in English. The examples provided by Ludwig show the phrase used in contexts where someone is choosing not to participate.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it takes a pass" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase in English, primarily employed to indicate a decision to decline an invitation, offer, or opportunity. It's best suited for neutral to informal contexts and commonly found in news and media sources. While alternatives such as "decline the opportunity" or "opt out" can be used, "it takes a pass" provides a distinct emphasis on making a conscious decision to not get involved. Ludwig confirms its correctness and provides real-world examples to guide its proper use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pass on that

Informal way of saying no to something.

decline the opportunity

More formal alternative, emphasizing a deliberate refusal of an opportunity.

decline to participate

Formal and explicit refusal of participation.

reject the offer

Formal, direct refusal of an offer.

opt out

Suggests choosing not to participate in something.

sit this one out

Indicates choosing not to participate in a particular instance.

give it a miss

British English; means to not participate or attend.

beg off

Politely decline an invitation or request.

abstain from

Formal term for refraining from something.

take a rain check

Suggests postponing participation, possibly to a later time.

FAQs

How can I use "it takes a pass" in a sentence?

You can use "it takes a pass" when you're declining an invitation or offer. For example, "I think I'll "pass on that" opportunity, it takes a pass for me."

What can I say instead of "it takes a pass"?

You can use alternatives like "decline the opportunity", "opt out", or ""pass on that"" depending on the context.

Is "it takes a pass" formal or informal?

"It takes a pass" is generally considered informal. In formal settings, consider using phrases like "decline to participate" or "reject the offer".

What's the difference between "it takes a pass" and "I'll pass"?

"It takes a pass" is a more descriptive way of saying "I'll pass". Both indicate a decision to decline, but "it takes a pass" provides a bit more emphasis on the deliberate nature of the decision. "I'll pass" is more colloquial.