phrasal verb🧩 phrasal verb

pass away

to die peacefully

What it means

A polite, gentle way to say that someone has died, used to soften the bluntness of the word 'die'. It's the standard expression in sympathetic conversation, obituaries, and formal announcements.

Examples

  • My grandfather passed away peacefully in his sleep last night.
  • Her mother passed away after a long battle with illness.
  • We were sorry to hear that your colleague had passed away so suddenly.
  • He passed away surrounded by his family and closest friends.

Where it comes from

Inseparable and intransitive. The euphemism dates back to the 14th century, when 'pass' carried the sense of moving from this life to the next.

Related phrasal verbs

#knock out#throw up#come down with#wear out

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