to give something to someone else, or to share information with another person.
Could you pass on this message to your brother when you see him?
A: I heard some good news about our project. B: Really? Can you pass it on to the rest of the team?
In my opinion, it's important to pass on traditional values to the next generation so that they understand their culture.
Common mistake
✗Can you pass on her the message?
✓Can you pass the message on to her?
The person takes 'to' — 'pass it on TO her'.
Tell it apart
Can you pass on my thanks?
relay/communicate it
Can you pass me the salt?
physically hand it over
Use 'pass on' when you want to talk about giving something (like a message, news, or an object) to another person.Not the same as 'pass away' (to die) or 'pass by' (to go past).
to decide not to accept something that is offered, such as food, an invitation, or an opportunity.
Thanks for the cake, but I'll pass on dessert tonight.
A: Do you want to join us for dinner later? B: Thanks, but I think I'll pass on this time. I'm really tired.
Sometimes, I have to pass on social events because I need to focus on my studies, especially during exam periods.
Common mistake
✗I'll pass dessert.
✓I'll pass on dessert.
In this sense it's 'pass ON' something (or just 'I'll pass').
Tell it apart
I'll pass on dessert.
decline it — no thanks
Pass me the dessert.
hand it to me — yes please
Use 'pass on' in informal situations when you politely say no to something offered to you.Different from 'pass up', which often means missing a good opportunity.
to transfer a characteristic, quality, or condition from one generation to the next, especially through genetic inheritance.
Certain genetic disorders can be passed on from parents to their children.
A: Why do you have green eyes when your parents both have brown? B: It must be a recessive gene that was passed on from my grandparents.
It is widely accepted that both physical and psychological traits can be passed on through generations, which has significant implications for studies in heredity and behaviour.
Common mistake
✗She passed the gene on for her children.
✓She passed the gene on to her children.
The recipient takes 'to' — 'pass sth on to sb'.
Tell it apart
She passed the trait on to her kids.
genetically inherited
She passed the recipe on to her kids.
taught/handed it down
Use this sense when talking about inherited traits, qualities, or conditions, especially in scientific, academic, or formal discussions. It does not refer to giving physical objects or sharing information directly.Unlike the B1 sense ('give or communicate'), this sense is used for the transmission of genetic or abstract qualities, not physical objects or news.