pass the torch

Idioms

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

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 • Feb. 13, 2026

"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 • Jan. 24, 2026

While he conceded that it was time to "pass the torch", his speech included a reminder that his presidential term wasn’t over and that his work wasn't done.

From BBC • Aug. 1, 2024

What if Ma were to pass the torch to me?

From "Dragons in a Bag" by Zetta Elliott

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023