passe



pass a bum check

To submit a money order as payment when the account being drawn upon does not or will not have adequate funds for the order to clear. Primarily heard in US. My ex-husband was so addicted to shopping that, by the end of our marriage, he had started passing bum checks just to keep making purchases. Being in debt has always scared the hell out of me, so I've made sure to never pass a bum check in my life.
See also: bum, check, pass

pass (something) with flying colours

To win, achieve, or accomplish something exceptionally well or very successfully. Said especially of a test, examination, or training of some kind. Primarily heard in UK. Samantha was rather nervous taking her final exam, but she passed with flying colours! Your brother passed his apprenticeship with flying colours. He'll be a master builder in no time!
See also: colour, flying, pass

pass the Rubicon

To commit to a particular plan or course of action. The phrase refers to how Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon river and became embroiled in civil war in 49 BCE. Look, if you cheat on this test, you are passing the Rubicon, man. You can't take that back. I think I passed the Rubicon when I took this management position. It would be a huge pay cut to go back to my old job, and my boss would be furious.
See also: pass, Rubicon

pass on to the Great Beyond

euphemism To die. It's such a shame that Tom has passed on to the Great Beyond. When is his funeral?
See also: beyond, great, on, pass

pass under the yoke

To be humiliated in defeat. The phrase derives from the ancient practice of humiliating troops by having them walk under a yoke that was symbolic of the victorious army. Many enemy soldiers passed under the yoke of the Roman army. Having to attend my rival's medal ceremony is like passing under the yoke.
See also: pass, yoke

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Oghenero-Western African, Urhobo
Khaliq-Arabic
Feodor-Russian
Abdurakhman-Chechen
Jehoashji-HO-ash (English), jee-HO-ash (English)Biblical
AlwinAHL-veen (German), AHL-win (Dutch), AHL-vin (Dutch)German, Dutch, Ancient Germanic