Pass by
phrasal verb Base: pass by | Past: passed by | Past Participle: passed by | -ing: passing by | 3rd person: passes by
Definition
1. To move past a person, place, or thing.
2. If something passes you by, it happens without you noticing or benefiting from it.
3. To overlook or ignore something.
2. If something passes you by, it happens without you noticing or benefiting from it.
3. To overlook or ignore something.
Context Alive
The café had a perfect view of the busy street outside. She loved sitting by the window, watching strangers pass by on their way to work. Some walked fast, some stopped to check their phones, and she quietly made up little stories about each of them.
Meanings
3 meanings 1 Going Past a Person, Place, or Thing (Phrasal Verb) Very Common ▼
This meaning is about physically moving past someone or something. Imagine walking down a busy street, and you pass by a bakery with an amazing smell coming from inside — you notice it but keep walking. This is going past something without stopping. You might pass by your neighbor’s house every morning on your way to work, or a bus could pass by your stop without slowing down. Or picture sitting at a café, watching people pass by the window all afternoon, each one in a hurry. The word suggests movement and continuation — you keep going. ✏️ You’ll often hear “I was just passing by” — it means someone happened to be nearby, they didn’t come on purpose.
Vivid ExampleHe walked the same route to school every single day. As he passed by the old bookshop on the corner, he noticed a new display in the window. He made a mental note to stop in after class and check it out.
2 Missing Out on Something or Not Noticing It (Phrasal Verb) Very Common ▼
This meaning is about missing out on something. You know when you’re so buried in work that weeks fly by and suddenly summer is over? That feeling of time or life passing you by is exactly this. This is when something happens but you don’t notice or benefit from it. You might say “don’t let this chance pass you by” or someone could feel like their youth passed them by. Or think about someone so focused on their career that friendships pass them by without them realizing. The word carries a feeling of regret or missed chances. ✏️ This often appears with “life” — “life is passing me by” is a very natural way to express feeling stuck or left behind.
Vivid ExampleShe had spent years building her career and chasing promotions. One day she realized her children’s early years had passed her by completely. She promised herself she would slow down and be more present from now on.
3 Overlooking or Disregarding Something (Phrasal Verb) Less Common ▼
This meaning is about choosing to ignore or skip over something. Imagine reading a long document and deciding to pass by the boring introduction to get straight to the important parts. This is deliberately not giving attention to something. You might pass by the small details and focus on the big picture, or a manager could pass by minor mistakes in a report. Or think about walking through a market and passing by the stalls that don’t interest you to find what you actually need. The word suggests a conscious choice to move on. ✏️ This meaning is close to “pass over” — both mean ignoring something, but “pass by” feels lighter and more casual.
Vivid ExampleThe report was over fifty pages long and full of technical details. He decided to pass by the charts and graphs and skip straight to the summary. That way he could get the key points without spending hours reading.
Examples from the Street
“I pass by that coffee shop every morning but I’ve never been in.”
I go past it on my way to work without stopping
“The years just pass by so fast when you’re busy.”
Time moves quickly without you realising
“Don’t let life pass you by — go out and do something!”
Don’t waste your time by not taking part in things
Common Patterns
pass by something/someone → move past without stopping
pass by on the/my/your way to → go past a place while heading somewhere else
just pass by → go past casually without stopping or paying attention
pass right by → go directly past, often without noticing something
happen to pass by → go past a place by chance, not on purpose
pass by without + -ing → move past without doing something (e.g. without stopping, without noticing)
time/years/days pass by → a period of time moves forward and is gone
pass by quickly/slowly → time feels fast or slow
as time passes by → as the days, weeks, or years go on
watch the hours/days pass by → observe time going past, often without doing much
life is passing someone by → someone is not fully living or taking part in experiences
let something pass by → allow an opportunity or moment to go without acting on it
pass someone by → not affect, involve, or reach someone
don’t let it pass you by → don’t miss this chance — take action now
Collocations
3 collocationspass by quickly
go past or happen fast
let it pass by
allow something to happen without acting
as time passes by
as the days go on
Example Sentences
12 examples
1
I pass by the school every day, but I’ve never really looked at the building properly.
I go past the school on a daily basis, but I’ve never actually paid attention to what it looks like.
2
She passed right by me in the street and didn’t even say hello.
She walked straight past me on the road without even greeting me.
3
We happened to pass by a beautiful old church while exploring the village.
We came across a lovely historic church by chance while wandering around the small town.
4
He passed by without stopping, even though I waved at him.
He kept going and didn’t pause, despite the fact that I raised my hand to get his attention.
5
I can’t believe how fast this year has passed by.
I’m amazed at how quickly the last twelve months have gone.
6
As time passes by, you start to appreciate the small things more.
As the years go on, you begin to value the little moments in life.
7
She sat by the window and watched the hours pass by while waiting for news.
She stayed near the window and let the time drift away while she waited to hear something.
8
Don’t let this opportunity pass you by — it might not come again.
Don’t miss out on this chance — you might never get another one like it.
9
He felt like life was passing him by while everyone else was moving forward.
He had the feeling that the world was carrying on without him while other people were making progress.
10
I pass by on my way to work every morning, so I can drop off the package for you.
I go past that area while heading to my job each day, so I can leave the parcel there for you.
Learner Examples
★
Every time I pass by the English noticeboard, I stop and read the new vocabulary posters my students have made.
Whenever I walk past the language display board, I pause to look at the fresh word charts the learners have put together.
★
If you let speaking opportunities pass you by in class, your fluency won’t improve as quickly.
If you allow chances to practise talking to go without taking them during lessons, your ability to speak naturally won’t develop as fast.
Phrasal Verbs & Idioms
2 items
Phrasal Verbspass up — miss an opportunity
Don't pass up this opportunity — it won't come again.
pass on — decline or skip something
I think I'll pass on dessert tonight, thanks.
Synonyms & Antonyms
6 items
Synonymsgo past
move beyond
walk past
move past on foot
elapse
for time passing
slip by
pass unnoticed
Antonymsstop at
pause at a place
stay
remain in place