passed up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "passed up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has declined or missed an opportunity or offer. Example: "She passed up the chance to travel abroad for a job opportunity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They passed up open shots.

The New York Times - Sports

He passed up his chance.

The New York Times - Sports

She passed up the chat with him.

The New York Times - Style

They passed up a lot of shots.

The New York Times - Sports

Several others passed up their opportunities.

The Guardian - Sport

But she passed up the Martha glasses.

The New York Times

I even passed up several opportunities to dispatch it.

The New York Times

Yet he passed up opportunities to stay in Paris.

The New Yorker

He passed up other roles in teen films.

The New York Times

How could I have passed up all those shopping opportunities?

The New York Times

Ms. Brown also said she was passed up for promotions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about opportunities, consider using "passed up" to imply a sense of regret or a strategic decision to forgo a particular benefit.

Common error

Avoid using "passed up" when the opportunity was not available or known. "Passed up" implies a conscious choice, so ensure the context reflects a deliberate decision.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "passed up" is that of a phrasal verb, acting as the past tense form of "pass up". It's used to indicate the rejection or foregoing of an opportunity. Ludwig AI shows consistent usage in various contexts, affirming its standard function in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Sport

23%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "passed up" is a very common and grammatically correct way to express the act of declining or missing an opportunity. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various contexts, from news and sports to general conversation. When using "passed up", remember that it implies a conscious choice not to pursue something. If you need alternatives, consider options like "missed out on" or "declined to take" to fine-tune the meaning. Steer clear of using it when the opportunity wasn't explicitly available. Overall, "passed up" is a versatile and widely understood phrase for conveying missed or rejected chances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

missed out on

Emphasizes the feeling of regret or loss associated with not taking an opportunity.

declined to take

Highlights the conscious decision to refuse or reject something.

forwent the chance

Stresses the voluntary relinquishment of an opportunity.

rejected the offer

Focuses on the act of turning down a specific proposal or invitation.

failed to capitalize on

Implies a lack of success in leveraging a favorable situation.

let go by

Suggests a passive acceptance of an opportunity's disappearance.

turned a blind eye to

Highlights ignoring a particular opportunity on purpose.

overlooked the possibility

Suggests a failure to recognize or consider an available option.

lost the opportunity

Indicates that an opportunity is no longer available, possibly due to inaction.

sacrificed the option

Implies a deliberate choice to give up one option for another.

FAQs

What does "passed up" mean?

"Passed up" means to decline or miss an opportunity. It implies a choice was made not to pursue something that was available.

What can I say instead of "passed up"?

You can use alternatives like "missed out on", "declined to take", or "forwent the chance" depending on the context.

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

While "passed on" can sometimes be used similarly, it often implies a less definitive rejection. "Passed up" generally suggests a more concrete opportunity was declined.

How to use "passed up" in a sentence?

Example: "She "passed up" a job opportunity abroad to stay closer to her family."