Why Walking Past Something Also Means Passing an Exam

Where the picture shows up in pass

1. 1

   go by the side of it

   We passed the hospital on the way here.

   wiː pæst ðə ˈhɒspɪtl ɒn ðə weɪ hɪər

   We drove by the hospital on the way here.

   A building sliding past the car window and falling behind.

2. 2

   move from hand to hand

   Could you pass me the salt, please?

   kʊd juː pæs miː ðə sɔːlt pliːz

   Could I get the salt?

   A salt shaker crossing the table between two hands.

3. 3

   time goes by

   Three years have passed since then.

   θriː jɪərz hæv pæst sɪns ðen

   It has been three years since then.

   Calendar pages flipping back one by one.

4. 4

   cross the required line

   She passed the driving test on her first try.

   ʃiː pæst ðə ˈdraɪvɪŋ test ɒn hɜːr fɜːst traɪ

   She got her licence on the first try.

   Stepping clean over a line chalked on the floor.

5. 5

   let your turn go by

   I'll pass on dessert tonight, thanks.

   aɪl pæs ɒn dɪˈzɜːrt təˈnaɪt θæŋks

   None for me tonight, thanks.

   A plate arriving in front of you and being waved along.

   pass on = let it go by, decline.