pass the torch

Idioms  

1. Also, hand on the torch. Relinquish responsibilities, a tradition, practice, or knowledge to another. For example, When the company's founder became too ill to continue, he passed the torch to his nephew. This metaphoric expression alludes to the ancient Greek torch race, in which a lighted torch was passed from one runner to the next. A translation from both Greek and Latin, the English version dates from the late 1800s.

---

Example Sentences

“It is humbling, but you shouldn’t be surprised. In a world where we all die and all the great institutions that led the world pass the torch to other countries, why should we be surprised that…individual enterprises die or get weak? From death comes life.”

From The Wall Street Journal

“I love that. You gotta pass the torch and keep the music going.”

From Los Angeles Times

And I think that the main reason he would be doing that is because he’s ready to step down and pass the torch.

From Slate

Boitano is thrilled to pass the torch to the current generation knowing even the stars of his time couldn’t match this group’s success in one key area: The United States had never previously won three world championships in a single year.

From Los Angeles Times

"It is time to pass the torch," the 71-year-old said as she announced her departure in October, adding that she intended to relax more and fulfil "a long-standing dream" of spending several months in Japan.

From Barron's