pass out
pass out — phrasal verb
- pass outbase form
- passes out3rd person singular
- passing out-ing form
- passed outpast simple
1. to briefly lose all awareness and become unable to respond to one's surroundings
to briefly lose all awareness and become unable to respond to one's surroundings, usually because of extreme heat, injury, fear, drinking too much alcohol, or a medical problem
The heat was so intense that several runners passed out before reaching the finish line.
pass out from [cause: heat]
Evelyn felt dizzy and nearly passed out after donating blood at the clinic.
nearly passed out
The patient passed out from the severe pain and was rushed to surgery.
If you see someone pass out in a crowded place, open a window and get help.
Samir had not eaten all day and suddenly passed out during the morning meeting.
- faint
the most common neutral word; suggests a gradual feeling of weakness before losing consciousness
- black out
often includes a temporary loss of memory along with consciousness; common with alcohol or injury
- collapse
focuses on the physical falling down, which may or may not involve loss of consciousness
文法句型
pass out
pass out from [cause]
用法筆記
Frequently followed by 'from' to introduce the cause: pass out from heat, pain, exhaustion, or fright. In informal speech, 'pass out' can also mean 'fall deeply asleep from exhaustion'.
常見錯誤
2. to finish the required programme at a military college or academy and officially
to finish the required programme at a military college or academy and officially leave as a graduate
Noa passed out from the Royal Military Academy after three years of intensive training.
pass out from [military institution]
The cadets pass out in a ceremony attended by senior officers and their families.
Owen's parents flew from Canada to watch him pass out of Sandhurst Military College.
Only the top ten percent of recruits pass out with honours each year.
- graduate
the general term for completing any educational programme; 'pass out' is specific to military colleges
文法句型
pass out
pass out of [institution]
pass out from [institution]
用法筆記
This sense is chiefly British and is used almost exclusively in military education contexts. The preposition 'from' or 'of' follows the verb to name the institution: pass out of Sandhurst / pass out from the academy.
3. to hand or distribute items so that every person in a room, class, or gathering
to hand or distribute items so that every person in a room, class, or gathering receives one
The teacher asked Astrid to pass out the worksheets to the class.
pass out [something] to [someone]
Volunteers passed out blankets and hot meals to families affected by the flood.
Caio stood outside the station passing out flyers about the lost dog.
Could you please pass out these schedule sheets to everyone at the meeting?
The campaign team passed out thousands of leaflets across the neighbourhood last weekend.
- hand out
interchangeable in most situations; slightly more informal and physical
- distribute
more formal; can apply to wider contexts like postal distribution
- give out
interchangeable; neutral register
- collect
to gather things from a group of people
文法句型
pass out [something]
pass out [something] to [someone]
用法筆記
The object usually goes after 'out': pass out the papers / pass out flyers. If the object is a pronoun, it must go between 'pass' and 'out': pass them out (not 'pass out them').