pass out
Britishverb
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informal (intr) to become unconscious; faint
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(intr) (esp of an officer cadet) to qualify for a military commission; complete a course of training satisfactorily
General Smith passed out from Sandhurst in 1933
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(tr) to distribute
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Distribute, as in He passed out the papers . [Early 1900s]
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Also, pass out cold . Faint, as in When she heard the news she passed out cold . [Early 1900s] Also see out cold .
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“I’ll probably pass out if I get the chance,” he said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026
Sometimes we’ll just pass out on the couch because we’re so tired.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026
Before the knockout round, the brand dispatched teams of local ranchbassadors to multiple stadiums with one goal: pass out samples to every fan in sight.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
"This was probably the only time in the whole process that I actually thought I might pass out or even die."
From BBC ● Apr. 14, 2026
Me and Rondell will be walking around looking for something to eat and I’ll have to double over for a sec ’cause I’m so damn weak or I feel like I’m about to pass out.
From "We Were Here" by Matt De La Peña
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
