pass up on

USAGE SUMMARY

"pass up on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that you have declined an offer or opportunity. For example, "I decided to pass up on the job offer because I didn't think the job fit my skillset."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

I'm not one to pass up on an opportunity to troll one of the greatest cities in the world, so here is a list of everything wrong with New York weed.

Vice

Sony isn't one to pass up on the latest tech fads, so they've released the, NSC-GC1, Net-sharing CAM that caters to social networking whores and video bloggers.

TechCrunch

At this stage I wasn't one to pass up on friends of any kind so I eagerly agreed.

Vice

That surprising transfer last summer was motivated by Holt's desire to move closer to his family in Cumbria, yet the forward revealed the chance to return to the top flight was one he could not pass up on.

Independent

Flay tries to get a little more direction, pressing Obama to hint at one ingredient he should not pass up on.

HuffPost

Speaking of bootlegs, every week I manage to find one that's just too good to pass up on.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

While the more traditional choices of pirate garb dominated the "argh-rated" evening, Jeff and Debbie Rosell were joined by Cara Rae by passing up on the "Pirates of the Caribbean" look for one that was inspired by the Pirates of Pittsburgh.

Los Angeles Times

I passed up on perhaps the most "teachable moment" of all.

The Guardian

Realism be damned if it means passing up on these sublimities.

The Guardian - Books

— LYNN ZINSER According to Tripp Mickle of Sports Business Journal, swimmer Missy Franklin is passing up on $1.5 million in earnings this year by remaining amateur.

The New York Times

Sukur had a chance to renounce Gulen and assure his freedom and safety but passed up on that.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pass up on" when you are consciously choosing not to take advantage of an opportunity or offer. For example, "I had to pass up on the promotion because of family commitments."

Common error

Avoid using "pass up on" when you want to express enthusiasm or acceptance. This phrase always carries a connotation of declining or missing something, even if it's for a good reason.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "pass up on" functions as a verb phrase expressing the act of forgoing or declining an opportunity or offer. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

17%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "pass up on" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the act of declining or forgoing an opportunity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It carries a neutral tone suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, remember that the best practice is using this phrase when consciously opting out of something. Be aware of the potential connotation of regret and consider related phrases like "decline" or "miss out on" for alternative expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

miss out on

Highlights the negative consequence of not taking an opportunity.

turn down

A common phrasal verb similar in meaning to decline, but slightly more informal.

decline

Implies a polite refusal, often of an invitation or offer.

lose out on

Highlights the disadvantage of missing an opportunity.

reject

Suggests a stronger refusal, potentially due to unsuitability or disapproval.

refuse

A direct and firm way of saying no to something.

forgo

Indicates a voluntary abstention from something desirable.

walk away from

Emphasizes a deliberate decision to leave something behind.

give a miss to

Suggests a casual decision not to participate or engage.

abstain from

Indicates a formal or disciplined avoidance of something.

FAQs

How to use "pass up on" in a sentence?

You can use "pass up on" to describe declining an opportunity. For example, "I couldn't "pass up on" the chance to travel to Europe."

What can I say instead of "pass up on"?

Alternatives include "decline", "reject", or "miss out on", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "pass on" instead of "pass up on"?

While "pass on" can sometimes be used similarly, it often implies forwarding something to someone else, or simply declining in a more general sense. "Pass up on" specifically means to decline an opportunity. For example you should say "I couldn't "pass up on" that trip" but not "I couldn't pass on that trip".

When should I use "pass up on" versus "miss out on"?

"Pass up on" implies a conscious decision to decline something. "Miss out on", on the other hand, suggests a loss or failure to obtain something, often without a deliberate choice. For example, "I had to "pass up on" the concert tickets because of work," versus "I "missed out on" the concert tickets because they sold out before I could buy them."