Phrasal verb
pass on
Meanings
to give or hand something to another person; to transfer something
to share information or a message with someone else; to communicate something onward
to choose not to take or accept something; to decline and allow it to go to someone else
Definition
To pass on means to give something to someone else or to move information to another person.
When you pass on something, you transfer it to another person, such as an object, a message, or an opportunity. It often means sharing information with the next person who needs it. In some contexts, it can also mean choosing not to take something and letting someone else have it instead.
Examples
- I’ll pass on your message when I see Maya.
- Can you pass on the salt, please?
- He decided to pass on the job offer because the hours didn’t work for him.
- We should pass on the updated schedule to everyone on the team.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "pass on" (transfer/share/decline) with "pass out" (faint or distribute).
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.