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# passed on

phrase (phrasal verb, past: pass on, passes on, passed on, passing on)

«passed on» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism, polite) died.
2. (literal) gave something to the next person (passed on a message or a book).
3. (literal) refused an offer (passed on the dessert — usually «passed on» = said no to).

### In the lessons

Used gently about death, often with a hint of moving to another place or life; in other senses it is everyday English. Polite register, all English-speaking countries.

### Examples

- My mother passed on before the grandchildren were born.
- Please pass on the message to your teacher.
- Colds are easily passed on in classrooms.
- I'll pass on the cake, thanks.
- He passed on his old bike to his little brother.
- Grandad passed on in the spring, surrounded by family.

### Note

Three very different senses; context decides. «Pass on a cold» = give it to someone else. Plain word for the death sense: died.