Pass vs. Throw — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on May 1, 2024
In sports, a pass is typically a strategic, often gentle movement of the ball between teammates, while a throw generally involves a forceful motion intended to cover a longer distance.
Difference Between Pass and Throw
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
In the context of sports, a pass is specifically aimed at transferring the ball or another object to a teammate, enhancing team dynamics and maintaining possession. Whereas, a throw is usually directed toward achieving maximum distance or accuracy, commonly seen in sports like athletics or baseball.
The technique of passing is crucial in games like soccer, basketball, and football, where it is used to outmaneuver opponents and create scoring opportunities. On the other hand, the technique of throwing is essential in track and field events such as the javelin, shot put, and discus, where the goal is to achieve the furthest or most precise throw.
Passes are generally executed with control and precision, focusing on the successful receipt by a teammate. In contrast, throws often prioritize power and range, with less emphasis on the receiving end unless it’s in a team sports setting like football or basketball.
The skills required for passing include accuracy, timing, and awareness of teammates’ positions, playing a strategic role in the flow of the game. Conversely, throwing skills hinge more on physical strength, technique, and individual performance, especially in non-team contexts.
Rules governing passes vary depending on the sport, with particular attention to the legality of the pass types (e.g., hand pass in soccer, chest pass in basketball). Meanwhile, rules for throwing focus on the method and specifications of the throw, such as the designated area and handling of equipment in athletics.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Goal
Transfer to a teammate, maintain possession
Achieve distance, accuracy
Key Sports
Soccer, basketball, football
Athletics (javelin, shot put), baseball
Technique Emphasis
Control, precision
Power, range
Skills Required
Accuracy, timing, team coordination
Strength, technique, individual performance
Rules and Regulations
Sport-specific pass types and legality
Method, equipment specifications
Compare with Definitions
Pass
The act of moving the ball to a teammate in sports.
He made an excellent pass to set up the goal.
Throw
An act of moving something hastily or without careful positioning.
She threw the clothes into the suitcase.
Pass
A movement in games to change possession without losing control.
Quick passes are key in basketball to keep the defense off balance.
Throw
To propel something with force through the air by a movement of the arm.
He can throw a baseball from outfield to home plate.
Pass
To go past something.
The train passed through the city at noon.
Throw
An act of projecting something to a specific target or distance.
His throw won the javelin competition.
Pass
A legal document allowing one to travel or access certain areas.
He showed his pass at the security checkpoint.
Throw
To put something suddenly or forcefully into a particular state or condition.
His comment threw the meeting into chaos.
Pass
An act in exams or assessments signifying success.
She was relieved to pass the final exam.
Throw
To cause to fall or to lose balance.
The sudden stop threw him from his bike.
Pass
To move on or ahead; proceed
The train passed through fields of wheat.
Throw
To propel through the air with a motion of the hand or arm.
Pass
To extend; run
The river passes through our land.
Throw
To propel or discharge into the air by any means
A machine that throws tennis balls.
Ash that was thrown by an erupting volcano.
Pass
To move by or in front of something
The band passed and the crowd cheered.
Throw
To cause to move with great force or speed; propel or displace
Threw themselves on the food.
Jetsam that had been thrown up onto the shore.
Pass
To move past another vehicle
The sports car passed on the right.
Throw
To force (an opponent) to the ground or floor, as in wrestling or the martial arts.
Pass
To gain passage despite obstacles
Pass through difficult years.
Throw
To cause to fall off
The horse threw its rider.
Pass
To move past in time; elapse
The days passed quickly.
Throw
(Informal) To cause confusion or perplexity in; disconcert or nonplus
We didn't let our worries throw us.
Pass
To be transferred from one to another; circulate
The wine passed around the table.
Throw
To put on or off hastily or carelessly
Throw on a jacket.
Pass
(Sports) To transfer a ball or puck to a teammate.
Throw
To put suddenly or forcefully into a given condition, position, or activity
Threw him into a fit of laughter.
Threw some supper together.
Threw her leg over the arm of the chair.
Pass
To be communicated or exchanged between persons
Loud words passed in the corridor.
Throw
To devote, apply, or direct
Threw all their resources into the new endeavor.
Threw the blame onto the others.
Pass
To be transferred or conveyed to another by will or deed
The title passed to the older heir.
Throw
To form on a potter's wheel
Throw a vase.
Pass
To undergo transition from one condition, form, quality, or characteristic to another
Daylight passed into darkness.
Throw
To twist (fibers) into thread.
Pass
To come to an end
My anger suddenly passed. The headache finally passed.
Throw
To roll (dice).
Pass
To cease to exist; die. Often used with on
The patient passed on during the night.
Throw
To roll (a particular combination) with dice.
Pass
To happen; take place
Wanted to know what had passed at the meeting.
Throw
To discard or play (a card).
Pass
To be allowed to happen without notice or challenge
Let their rude remarks pass.
Throw
To send forth; project
She threw me a look of encouragement.
Pass
Sports & Games To decline one's turn to bid, draw, bet, compete, or play.
Throw
To cause (one's voice) to seem to come from a source other than oneself.
Pass
To decline an offer
When we offered him dessert, he passed.
Throw
To cause to fall on or over something; cast
The rising sun threw shadows across the lawn. We threw sheets over the furniture before we painted the ceiling.
Pass
To undergo an examination or a trial with favorable results.
Throw
To bear (young). Used of cows or horses, for example.
Pass
To serve as a barely acceptable substitute
The spare tire was nearly bald but would pass until we bought a new one.
Throw
To arrange or give (a party, for example).
Pass
To be accepted as a member of a group by denying one's own ancestry or background.
Throw
To move (a lever or switch) in order to activate, deactivate, or control a device.
Pass
To be approved or adopted
The motion to adjourn passed.
Throw
(Informal) To lose or give up (a contest, for example) purposely.
Pass
To make a decision
To pass upon a legal question.
Throw
To abandon oneself to; have
Heard the news and threw a fit.
Pass
To convey property to an heir or heirs
To pass according to the terms of the will.
Throw
To commit (oneself), especially for leniency or support
Threw himself on the mercy of the court.
Pass
(Medicine) To be discharged from a bodily part
The patient had a lot of pain when the kidney stone passed.
Throw
To deliver (a punch), as in boxing
Threw a left hook.
Pass
(Sports) To thrust or lunge in fencing.
Throw
To cast, fling, or hurl something.
Pass
To go by without stopping; proceed beyond or leave behind
The bus passed a gas station.
Throw
The act or an instance of throwing.
Pass
To go across; go through
We passed the border into Mexico.
Throw
The distance to which something is or can be thrown
A stone's throw away.
Pass
To allow to go by or elapse; spend
He passed his winter in Vermont.
Throw
A roll or cast of dice.
Pass
To go by without paying attention to; disregard or ignore
If you pass the new photographs in the collection, you'll miss some outstanding ones.
Throw
The combination of numbers so obtained.
Pass
To fail to pay (a dividend).
Throw
(Informal) A single chance, venture, or instance
"could afford up to forty-five bucks a throw to wax sentimental over their heritage" (John Simon).
Pass
To go beyond; surpass
The inheritance passed my wildest dreams.
Throw
(Sports) The act of throwing or a technique used to throw an opponent in wrestling or the martial arts.
Pass
To undergo (a trial or examination) with favorable results
She passed every test.
Throw
A light blanket or coverlet, such as an afghan.
Pass
To cause or allow to go through a trial, test, or examination successfully
The instructor passed all the candidates.
Throw
A scarf or shawl.
Pass
To cause to move
We passed our hands over the fabric.
Throw
The radius of a circle described by a crank, cam, or similar machine part.
Pass
To cause to move into a certain position
Pass a ribbon around a package.
Throw
The maximum displacement of a machine part moved by another part, such as a crank or cam.
Pass
To cause to move as part of a process
Pass liquid through a filter.
Throw
(Geology) The amount of vertical displacement of a fault.
Pass
To cause to go by
The sergeant passed his troops before the grandstand.
Throw
(transitive) To hurl; to cause an object to move rapidly through the air.
Throw a shoe; throw a javelin; the horse threw its rider
Pass
To allow to cross a barrier
The border guard passed the tourists.
Throw
(transitive) To eject or cause to fall off.
Pass
(Baseball) To walk (a batter).
Throw
(transitive) To move to another position or condition; to displace.
Throw the switch
Pass
To maneuver (the bull) by means of a pase in bullfighting.
Throw
(ceramics) To make (a pot) by shaping clay as it turns on a wheel.
Pass
To cause to be transferred from one to another; circulate
They passed the news quickly.
Throw
To deliver (the ball) illegally by straightening the bowling arm during delivery.
Pass
To hand over to someone else
Please pass the bread.
Throw
To send (an error) to an exception-handling mechanism in order to interrupt normal processing.
If the file is read-only, the method throws an invalid-operation exception.
Pass
(Sports) To transfer (a ball, for example) to a teammate, as by throwing.
Throw
To intentionally lose a game.
The tennis player was accused of taking bribes to throw the match.
Pass
To cause to be accepted; circulate fraudulently
Pass counterfeit money.
Throw
To confuse or mislead.
The deliberate red herring threw me at first.
Pass
(Law) To convey (property) to an heir or heirs
To pass an estate.
Throw
(figuratively) To send desperately.
Their sergeant threw the troops into pitched battle.
Pass
(Medicine) To discharge (a waste product, for example) from a bodily part.
Throw
(transitive) To imprison.
The magistrate ordered the suspect to be thrown into jail.
Pass
(Medicine) To introduce (an instrument) into a bodily cavity.
Throw
To organize an event, especially a party.
Pass
To approve; adopt
The legislature passed the bill.
Throw
(ambitransitive) To roll (a die or dice).
Pass
To be sanctioned, ratified, or approved by
The bill passed the House of Representatives.
Throw
(transitive) To cause a certain number on the die or dice to be shown after rolling it.
Pass
To pronounce; utter
Pass judgment.
Pass sentence on an offender.
Throw
To discard.
Pass
The act of passing; passage.
Throw
(martial arts) To lift the opponent off the ground and bring him back down, especially into a position behind the thrower.
Pass
A way, such as a narrow gap between mountains, that affords passage around, over, or through a barrier.
Throw
To change in order to give the illusion that the voice is that of someone else.
Pass
A permit, ticket, or authorization to come and go at will.
Throw
(transitive) To show sudden emotion, especially anger.
Pass
A free ticket entitling one to transportation or admission.
Throw
(transitive) To project or send forth.
Pass
Written leave of absence from military duty.
Throw
To put on hastily; to spread carelessly. I don't see, that "spreading" could be any meaning of "putting on". Was it meant to be a second meaning?
Pass
A passing grade, especially when graded using a pass-fail grading system.
Throw
To twist two or more filaments of (silk, etc.) so as to form one thread; to twist together, as singles, in a direction contrary to the twist of the singles themselves; sometimes applied to the whole class of operations by which silk is prepared for the weaver.
Pass
A sweep or run, as by an aircraft, over or toward an area or target.
Throw
To select (a pitcher); to assign a pitcher to a given role (such as starter or reliever).
Pass
A single complete cycle of operations, as by a machine or computer program.
Throw
(transitive) To install (a bridge).
Pass
A condition or situation, often critical in nature; a predicament
Contract negotiations that had come to an emotional pass.
Throw
To twist or turn.
A thrown nail
Pass
A motion of the hand or the waving of a wand
The magician made a pass over the hat.
Throw
(American football) pass
Pass
(Sports) A transfer of a ball or puck between teammates.
Throw
To deliver.
Pass
(Sports) A lunge or thrust in fencing.
Throw
Of animals: to give birth to (young).
Pass
(Baseball) A base on balls.
Throw
Obsolete spelling of throe
Pass
Sports & Games A refusal to bid, draw, bet, compete, or play.
Throw
The flight of a thrown object.
What a great throw by the quarterback!
Pass
(Games) A winning throw of the dice in craps.
Throw
The act of throwing something.
With an accurate throw, he lassoed the cow.
The gambler staked everything on one throw of the dice.
Pass
A pase in bullfighting.
Throw
One's ability to throw.
He's got a girl's throw.
He's always had a pretty decent throw.
Pass
To change place.
Throw
A distance travelled; displacement.
The throw of the piston
Pass
(intransitive) To move or be moved from one place to another.
They passed from room to room.
Throw
A piece of fabric used to cover a bed, sofa or other soft furnishing.
Pass
(transitive) To go past, by, over, or through; to proceed from one side to the other of; to move past.
You will pass a house on your right.
Throw
A single instance, occurrence, venture, or chance.
Football tickets are expensive at fifty bucks a throw.
Pass
(ditransitive) To cause to move or go; to send; to transfer from one person, place, or condition to another.
The waiter passed biscuits and cheese.
John passed Suzie a note.
The torch was passed from hand to hand.
Throw
(veterinary medicine) The act of giving birth in animals, especially in cows.
Pass
To eliminate (something) from the body by natural processes.
He was passing blood in both his urine and his stool.
The poison had been passed by the time of the autopsy.
Throw
(obsolete) A moment, time, occasion.
Pass
To take a turn with (a line, gasket, etc.), as around a sail in furling, and make secure.
Throw
(obsolete) A period of time; a while.
Pass
(sport) To make various kinds of movement.
Throw
Obsolete spelling of throe
Pass
(intransitive) To go from one person to another.
Throw
Pain; especially, pain of travail; throe.
Pass
(transitive) To put in circulation; to give currency to.
Pass counterfeit money
Throw
Time; while; space of time; moment; trice.
I will with Thomas speak a little throw.
Pass
To cause to obtain entrance, admission, or conveyance.
Pass a person into a theater or over a railroad
Throw
The act of hurling or flinging; a driving or propelling from the hand or an engine; a cast.
He heaved a stone, and, rising to the throw,He sent it in a whirlwind at the foe.
Pass
To put through a sieve.
When it's finished cooking, you should pass the sauce to get rid of any lumps.
Throw
A stroke; a blow.
Nor shield defend the thunder of his throws.
Pass
To change in state or status
Throw
The distance which a missile is, or may be, thrown; as, a stone's throw.
Pass
(intransitive) To progress from one state to another; to advance.
He passed from youth into old age.
Throw
A cast of dice; the manner in which dice fall when cast; as, a good throw.
Pass
(intransitive) To depart, to cease, to come to an end.
At first, she was worried, but that feeling soon passed.
Throw
An effort; a violent sally.
Your youth admiresThe throws and swellings of a Roman soul.
Pass
(intransitive) To die.
His grandmother passed yesterday.
Throw
The extreme movement given to a sliding or vibrating reciprocating piece by a cam, crank, eccentric, or the like; travel; stroke; as, the throw of a slide valve. Also, frequently, the length of the radius of a crank, or the eccentricity of an eccentric; as, the throw of the crank of a steam engine is equal to half the stroke of the piston.
Pass
To achieve a successful outcome from.
He attempted the examination, but did not expect to pass.
Of the Ancient Wonders, only the pyramids have passed the test of time.
Throw
A potter's wheel or table; a jigger. See 2d Jigger, 2 (a).
Pass
To advance through all the steps or stages necessary to become valid or effective; to obtain the formal sanction of (a legislative body).
Despite the efforts of the opposition, the bill passed.
The bill passed both houses of Congress.
The bill passed the Senate, but did not pass in the House.
Throw
A turner's lathe; a throwe.
Pass
To be conveyed or transferred by will, deed, or other instrument of conveyance.
The estate passes by the third clause in Mr Smith's deed to his son.
When the old king passed away with only a daughter as an heir, the throne passed to a woman for the first time in centuries.
Throw
The amount of vertical displacement produced by a fault; - according to the direction it is designated as an upthrow, or a downthrow.
Pass
(transitive) To cause to advance by stages of progress; to carry on with success through an ordeal, examination, or action; specifically, to give legal or official sanction to; to ratify; to enact; to approve as valid and just.
He passed the bill through the committee.
Throw
To fling, cast, or hurl with a certain whirling motion of the arm, to throw a ball; - distinguished from to toss, or to bowl.
Pass
To make a judgment on or upon a person or case.
Throw
To fling or cast in any manner; to drive to a distance from the hand or from an engine; to propel; to send; as, to throw stones or dust with the hand; a cannon throws a ball; a fire engine throws a stream of water to extinguish flames.
Pass
(transitive) To utter; to pronounce; to pledge.
Throw
To drive by violence; as, a vessel or sailors may be thrown upon a rock.
Pass
(intransitive) To change from one state to another (without the implication of progression).
Throw
To cause to take a strategic position; as, he threw a detachment of his army across the river.
Pass
To move through time.
Throw
To overturn; to prostrate in wrestling; as, a man throws his antagonist.
Pass
To elapse, to be spent.
Their vacation passed pleasantly.
Throw
To cast, as dice; to venture at dice.
Set less than thou throwest.
Pass
To spend.
What will we do to pass the time?
Throw
To put on hastily; to spread carelessly.
O'er his fair limbs a flowery vest he threw.
Pass
(transitive) To go by without noticing; to omit attention to; to take no note of; to disregard.
Throw
To divest or strip one's self of; to put off.
There the snake throws her enameled skin.
Pass
(intransitive) To continue.
Throw
To form or shape roughly on a throwing engine, or potter's wheel, as earthen vessels.
Pass
(intransitive) To proceed without hindrance or opposition.
You're late, but I'll let it pass.
Throw
To give forcible utterance to; to cast; to vent.
I have thrownA brave defiance in King Henry's teeth.
Pass
(transitive) To live through; to have experience of; to undergo; to suffer.
Throw
To bring forth; to produce, as young; to bear; - said especially of rabbits.
Pass
(intransitive) To happen.
It will soon come to pass.
Throw
To twist two or more filaments of, as silk, so as to form one thread; to twist together, as singles, in a direction contrary to the twist of the singles themselves; - sometimes applied to the whole class of operations by which silk is prepared for the weaver.
Pass
To be accepted.
Throw
To perform the act of throwing or casting; to cast; specifically, to cast dice.
Pass
To be tolerated as a substitute for something else, to "do".
It isn't ideal, but it will pass.
Throw
The act of throwing (propelling something through the air with a rapid movement of the arm and wrist);
The catcher made a good throw to second base
Pass
To refrain from doing something.
Throw
A single chance or instance;
He couldn't afford $50 a throw
Pass
(intransitive) To decline something that is offered or available.
He asked me to go to the cinema with him, but I think I'll pass.
Throw
The maximum movement available to a pivoted or reciprocating piece by a cam
Pass
(transitive) To reject; to pass up.
Throw
The distance that something can be thrown;
It is just a stone's throw from here
Pass
(intransitive) To decline or not attempt to answer a question.
I haven't any idea of the answer, so I'll have to pass.
Throw
Bedclothes consisting of a lightweight cloth covering (an afghan or bedspread) that is casually thrown over something
Pass
(intransitive) In turn-based games, to decline to play in one's turn.
Throw
The throwing of an object in order to determine an outcome randomly;
He risked his fortune on a throw of the dice
Pass
In euchre, to decline to make the trump.
Throw
Project through the air;
Throw a frisbee
Pass
To do or be better.
Throw
Move violently, energetically, or carelessly;
She threw herself forwards
Pass
To go beyond bounds; to surpass; to be in excess.
Throw
Get rid of;
He shed his image as a pushy boss
Shed your clothes
Pass
(transitive) To transcend; to surpass; to excel; to exceed.
Throw
Place or put with great energy;
She threw the blanket around the child
Thrust the money in the hands of the beggar
Pass
To take heed, to have an interest, to care.
Throw
Convey or communicate; of a smile, a look, a physical gesture;
Throw a glance
She gave me a dirty look
Pass
An opening, road, or track, available for passing; especially, one through or over some dangerous or otherwise impracticable barrier such as a mountain range; a passageway; a defile; a ford.
Mountain pass
Throw
Cause to go on or to be engaged or set in operation;
Switch on the light
Throw the lever
Pass
A channel connecting a river or body of water to the sea, for example at the mouth (delta) of a river.
The passes of the Mississippi
Throw
Put or send forth;
She threw the flashlight beam into the corner
The setting sun threw long shadows
Cast a spell
Cast a warm light
Pass
A single movement, especially of a hand, at, over, or along anything.
Throw
To put into a state or activity hastily, suddenly, or carelessly;
Jane threw dinner together
Throw the car into reverse
Pass
A single passage of a tool over something, or of something over a tool.
Throw
Cause to be confused emotionally
Pass
An attempt.
My first pass at a career of writing proved unsuccessful.
Throw
Utter with force; utter vehemently;
Hurl insults
Throw accusations at someone
Pass
Success in an examination or similar test.
I gained three passes at A-level, in mathematics, French, and English literature.
Throw
Organize or be responsible for;
Hold a reception
Have, throw, or make a party
Give a course
Pass
(fencing) A thrust or push; an attempt to stab or strike an adversary.
Throw
Make on a potter's wheel;
She threw a beautiful teapot
Pass
(figuratively) A thrust; a sally of wit.
Throw
Cause to fall off;
The horse threw its unexperienced rider
Pass
(sports) The act of moving the ball or puck from one player to another.
Throw
Throw (a die) out onto a flat surface;
Throw a six
Pass
(rail transport) A passing of two trains in the same direction on a single track, when one is put into a siding to let the other overtake it.
Throw
Be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly;
These questions confuse even the experts
This question completely threw me
This question befuddled even the teacher
Pass
Permission or license to pass, or to go and come.
Pass
A document granting permission to pass or to go and come; a passport; a ticket permitting free transit or admission
A railroad pass; a theater pass; a military pass
Pass
(baseball) An intentional walk.
Smith was given a pass after Jones' double.
Pass
(sports) The act of overtaking; an overtaking manoeuvre.
Pass
The state of things; condition; predicament; impasse.
Pass
(obsolete) Estimation; character.
Pass
(cookery) The area in a restaurant kitchen where the finished dishes are passed from the chefs to the waiting staff.
Pass
An act of declining to play one's turn in a game, often by saying the word "pass".
A pass would have seen her win the game, but instead she gave a wrong answer and lost a point, putting her in second place.
Pass
(computing) A run through a document as part of a translation, compilation or reformatting process.
Most Pascal compilers process source code in a single pass.
Pass
A password (especially one for a restricted-access website).
Anyone want to trade passes?
Pass
To go; to move; to proceed; to be moved or transferred from one point to another; to make a transit; - usually with a following adverb or adverbal phrase defining the kind or manner of motion; as, to pass on, by, out, in, etc.; to pass swiftly, directly, smoothly, etc.; to pass to the rear, under the yoke, over the bridge, across the field, beyond the border, etc.
On high behests his angels to and froPassed frequent.
Sweet sounds rose slowly through their mouths,And from their bodies passed.
Pass
To move or be transferred from one state or condition to another; to change possession, condition, or circumstances; to undergo transition; as, the business has passed into other hands.
Others, dissatisfied with what they have, . . . pass from just to unjust.
Pass
To move beyond the range of the senses or of knowledge; to pass away; hence, to disappear; to vanish; to depart; specifically, to depart from life; to die.
Disturb him not, let him pass paceably.
Beauty is a charm, but soon the charm will pass.
The passing of the sweetest soulThat ever looked with human eyes.
Pass
To move or to come into being or under notice; to come and go in consciousness; hence, to take place; to occur; to happen; to come; to occur progressively or in succession; to be present transitorily.
So death passed upon all men.
Our own consciousness of what passes within our own mind.
Pass
To go by or glide by, as time; to elapse; to be spent; as, their vacation passed pleasantly.
Now the time is far passed.
Pass
To go from one person to another; hence, to be given and taken freely; as, clipped coin will not pass; to obtain general acceptance; to be held or regarded; to circulate; to be current; - followed by for before a word denoting value or estimation.
False eloquence passeth only where true is not understood.
This will not pass for a fault in him.
Pass
To advance through all the steps or stages necessary to validity or effectiveness; to be carried through a body that has power to sanction or reject; to receive legislative sanction; to be enacted; as, the resolution passed; the bill passed both houses of Congress.
Pass
To go through any inspection or test successfully; to be approved or accepted; as, he attempted the examination, but did not expect to pass.
Pass
To be suffered to go on; to be tolerated; hence, to continue; to live along.
Pass
To go unheeded or neglected; to proceed without hindrance or opposition; as, we let this act pass.
Pass
To go beyond bounds; to surpass; to be in excess.
Pass
To take heed; to care.
As for these silken-coated slaves, I pass not.
Pass
To go through the intestines.
Pass
To be conveyed or transferred by will, deed, or other instrument of conveyance; as, an estate passes by a certain clause in a deed.
Pass
To make a lunge or pass; to thrust.
Pass
To decline to play in one's turn; in euchre, to decline to make the trump.
She would not play, yet must not pass.
Pass
To go by, beyond, over, through, or the like; to proceed from one side to the other of; as, to pass a house, a stream, a boundary, etc.
She loved me for the dangers I had passed.
Pass
To go by without noticing; to omit attention to; to take no note of; to disregard.
Please you that I may pass This doing.
I pass their warlike pomp, their proud array.
Pass
To cause to move or go; to send; to transfer from one person, place, or condition to another; to transmit; to deliver; to hand; to make over; as, the waiter passed bisquit and cheese; the torch was passed from hand to hand.
I had only time to pass my eye over the medals.
Waller passed over five thousand horse and foot by Newbridge.
Pass
To transcend; to surpass; to excel; to exceed.
And strive to pass . . . Their native music by her skillful art.
Whose tender powerPasses the strength of storms in their most desolate hour.
Pass
To cause to pass the lips; to utter; to pronounce; hence, to promise; to pledge; as, to pass sentence.
Father, thy word is passed.
Pass
To emit from the bowels; to evacuate.
Pass
To go successfully through, as an examination, trail, test, etc.; to obtain the formal sanction of, as a legislative body; as, he passed his examination; the bill passed the senate.
Pass
To cause to advance by stages of progress; to carry on with success through an ordeal, examination, or action; specifically, to give legal or official sanction to; to ratify; to enact; to approve as valid and just; as, he passed the bill through the committee; the senate passed the law.
Pass
To take a turn with (a line, gasket, etc.), as around a sail in furling, and make secure.
Pass
To make, as a thrust, punto, etc.
Pass
An opening, road, or track, available for passing; especially, one through or over some dangerous or otherwise impracticable barrier; a passageway; a defile; a ford; as, a mountain pass.
"Try not the pass!" the old man said.
Pass
A thrust or push; an attempt to stab or strike an adversary.
Pass
A movement of the hand over or along anything; the manipulation of a mesmerist.
Pass
A single passage of a bar, rail, sheet, etc., between the rolls.
Pass
State of things; condition; predicament.
Have his daughters brought him to this pass.
Matters have been brought to this pass.
Pass
Permission or license to pass, or to go and come; a psssport; a ticket permitting free transit or admission; as, a railroad or theater pass; a military pass.
A ship sailing under the flag and pass of an enemy.
Pass
Fig.: a thrust; a sally of wit.
Pass
Estimation; character.
Common speech gives him a worthy pass.
Pass
A part; a division.
Pass
In football, hockey, and other team sports, a transfer of the ball, puck, etc., to another player of one's own team, usually at some distance. In American football, the pass is through the air by an act of throwing the ball.
Pass
(baseball) an advance to first base by a batter who receives four balls;
He worked the pitcher for a base on balls
Pass
(military) a written leave of absence;
He had a pass for three days
Pass
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate;
The coach sent in a passing play on third and long
Pass
The location in a range of mountains of a geological formation that is lower than the surrounding peaks;
We got through the pass before it started to snow
Pass
Any authorization to pass or go somewhere;
The pass to visit had a strict time limit
Pass
A document indicating permission to do something without restrictions;
The media representatives had special passes
Pass
A flight or run by an aircraft over a target;
The plane turned to make a second pass
Pass
A bad or difficult situation or state of affairs
Pass
A difficult juncture;
A pretty pass
Matters came to a head yesterday
Pass
One complete cycle of operations (as by a computer);
It was not possible to complete the computation in a single pass
Pass
You advance to the next round in a tournament without playing an opponent;
He had a bye in the first round
Pass
A permit to enter or leave a military installation;
He had to show his pass in order to get out
Pass
A complementary (free) ticket;
The start got passes for his family
Pass
A usually brief attempt;
He took a crack at it
I gave it a whirl
Pass
(sports) the act of throwing the ball to another member of your team;
The pass was fumbled
Pass
Success in satisfying a test or requirement;
His future depended on his passing that test
He got a pass in introductory chemistry
Pass
Go across or through;
We passed the point where the police car had parked
A terrible thought went through his mind
Pass
Pass by;
A black limousine passed by when she looked out the window
He passed his professor in the hall
One line of soldiers surpassed the other
Pass
Make laws, bills, etc. or bring into effect by legislation;
They passed the amendment
We cannot legislate how people's spend their free time
Pass
Pass by;
Three years elapsed
Pass
Place into the hands or custody of;
Hand me the spoon, please
Turn the files over to me, please
He turned over the prisoner to his lawyers
Pass
Stretch out over a distance, space, time, or scope; run or extend between two points or beyond a certain point;
Service runs all the way to Cranbury
His knowledge doesn't go very far
My memory extends back to my fourth year of life
The facts extend beyond a consideration of her personal assets
Pass
Travel past;
The sports car passed all the trucks
Pass
Come to pass;
What is happening?
The meeting took place off without an incidence
Nothing occurred that seemed important
Pass
Go unchallenged; be approved;
The bill cleared the House
Pass
Pass (time) in a specific way;
How are you spending your summer vacation?
Pass
Guide or pass over something;
He ran his eyes over her body
She ran her fingers along the carved figurine
He drew her hair through his fingers
Pass
Transmit information ;
Please communicate this message to all employees
Pass
Disappear gradually;
The pain eventually passed off
Pass
Go successfully through a test or a selection process;
She passed the new Jersey Bar Exam and can practice law now
Pass
Go beyond;
She exceeded our expectations
She topped her performance of last year
Pass
Accept or judge as acceptable;
The teacher passed the student although he was weak
Pass
Allow to go without comment or censure;
The insult passed as if unnoticed
Pass
Transfer to another; of rights or property;
Our house passed under his official control
Pass
Pass into a specified state or condition;
He sank into Nirvana
Pass
Be identified, regarded, accepted, or mistaken for someone or something else; as by denying one's own ancestry or background;
He could pass as his twin brother
She passed as a White woman even though her grandfather was Black
Pass
Throw (a ball) to another player;
Smith passed
Pass
Be inherited by;
The estate fell to my sister
The land returned to the family
The estate devolved to an heir that everybody had assumed to be dead
Pass
Cause to pass;
She passed around the plates
Pass
Grant authorization or clearance for;
Clear the manuscript for publication
The rock star never authorized this slanderous biography
Pass
Pass from physical life and lose all all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life;
She died from cancer
They children perished in the fire
The patient went peacefully
Pass
Eliminate from the body;
Pass a kidney stone
Pass
Of advancing the ball by throwing it;
A team with a good passing attack
A pass play
Common Curiosities
What is a pass in sports?
A pass in sports is a strategic movement of the ball between teammates to maintain possession and create opportunities.
How is a throw different from a pass in its goal?
A throw is aimed at achieving maximum distance or accuracy, unlike a pass, which focuses on team play and possession.
What are some sports where throwing is crucial?
Sports such as javelin, shot put, discus in athletics, and baseball require throwing.
What skills are important for effective throwing?
Effective throwing requires strength, proper technique, and often individual performance.
How are the rules for passing and throwing different?
Rules for passing focus on the legality and types of passes, while throwing rules concern the methods and equipment specifications.
What is an example of a throw in athletics?
An example of a throw in athletics is a javelin thrower aiming to achieve the longest possible distance in competition.
Can you give an example of a successful pass?
A successful pass could be a soccer player passing the ball to a teammate who then scores a goal.
Which sports primarily involve passing?
Sports like soccer, basketball, and football primarily involve passing.
What techniques are emphasized in passing?
Techniques in passing emphasize control, precision, and timing.
How does team coordination impact passing?
Team coordination is crucial for effective passing as it involves understanding teammates’ positions and strategies.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
