passed up openings

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "passed up openings" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe situations where someone has declined or missed opportunities that were available to them. Example: "Due to his fear of change, he passed up openings for promotions that could have advanced his career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

They passed up open shots.

The New York Times - Sports

Grzegorz Krychowiak and Kamil Grosicki also passed up inviting openings.

The Guardian - Sport

Although Wenger claimed that the substitute Carlos Vela ought to have had a late penalty, Arsenal passed up other openings in the second half.

The Guardian - Sport

Middlesbrough then passed up five excellent openings to extend that lead, the first two of which ended with Caballero recovering from his own dreadful clearance to stop Tomlin and Grant Leadbitter with a double save.

BBC

Four chances had been passed up in the opening 10 minutes before the game's solitary goal was bundled in, apparently by Demba Ba, though the visitors' Daniel Georgievski appeared to have had the clearest touch.

The Guardian - Sport

This was too good to pass up.

The New York Times - Sports

It's hard to pass up.

Los Angeles Times

"I don't know many prosecutors who would have passed up on being able to deliver the opening statement in a case that drew international press," Thompson said.

The Guardian

Michael O'Halloran passed up two great chances - including one in the opening minute when he was denied by Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon - and Brian Easton's powerful long-range drive crashed off the post.

BBC

It was the kind of moment that made you think fate had decreed a Chelsea win, a belief only strengthened by Bayern passing up two clear openings in the second period of those additional 30 minutes.

Independent

An incandescent lamp...is placed below the film...and the light passes up through the film, shutter opening, and magnifying lens...to the eye of the observer placed at the opening in the top of the case".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "passed up openings" when you want to emphasize the act of missing or declining specific opportunities that were available.

Common error

Avoid using "passed up openings" when a more neutral term like "missed opportunities" is appropriate, as "passed up" can sometimes imply a deliberate choice not to act.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passed up openings" functions as a verb phrase describing the action of missing or declining opportunities. The Ludwig AI confirms it's a valid English expression. This construction emphasizes the act of foregoing chances.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "passed up openings" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to describe the act of missing or declining opportunities. As verified by Ludwig AI, it's a valid and usable phrase in English. While "missed opportunities" is a more general alternative, "passed up openings" specifically implies a choice, whether conscious or unconscious, not to take advantage of available chances. It's frequently found in news and sports contexts and carries a neutral register, making it appropriate for a variety of writing styles. When using this phrase, consider whether the nuance of a deliberate choice is intended; otherwise, a more neutral term might be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

missed opportunities

Focuses on the opportunities that were not taken.

declined chances

Emphasizes the conscious decision to reject the opportunities.

forgone opportunities

Highlights the act of intentionally giving up the opportunities.

overlooked possibilities

Suggests that the opportunities were not recognized or valued.

lost out on opportunities

Focuses on the negative outcome of not seizing the opportunities.

failed to capitalize on chances

Emphasizes the inability to take advantage of available opportunities.

squandered opportunities

Implies that the opportunities were wasted or not used effectively.

neglected openings

Suggests a lack of attention or care in pursuing the opportunities.

bypassed chances

Indicates that the opportunities were knowingly avoided.

let opportunities slip away

Highlights the passive nature of losing the opportunities.

FAQs

How can I use "passed up openings" in a sentence?

You can use "passed up openings" to describe situations where someone has declined or missed opportunities that were available to them. For example: "Due to his fear of change, he "passed up openings" for promotions that could have advanced his career."

What are some alternatives to "passed up openings"?

Some alternatives include "missed opportunities", "declined chances", or "forgone opportunities", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "missed opportunities" or "passed up openings"?

"Missed opportunities" is a more general term, while "passed up openings" implies a more deliberate act of declining or overlooking specific chances. The best choice depends on the context and the intended emphasis.

What does "passed up" imply in the phrase "passed up openings"?

The term "passed up" suggests a conscious or unconscious decision to not pursue available opportunities. It indicates that the person or entity was aware of the openings but chose not to take advantage of them.