pass by
verbUK /pɑːs ˈbaɪ/ · US /pæs ˈbaɪ/
1
To travel past without stopping.
- I noticed my wife pass by with a bag of shopping.
- I can hear them whisper as we pass by It's a bad sign, bad sign2014 October 27, Taylor Swift, Ryan Tedder, “I Know Places (Taylor's Version)”, in 1989 (Taylor's Version), performed by Taylor Swift, published 27 October 2023:
2
To travel past (something) without stopping; (figurative) to ignore, to disregard.
- I had the distinct worry that happiness would pass me by.
- Though these notes have no pretensions to being a comprehensive catalogue, we cannot pass Euston by. Euston is not a typically English station.1941 August, C. Hamilton Ellis, “The English Station”, in Railway Magazine, page 358:
2 more examples
- You'll never know it hurt me so, I'll hate to see you go / Don't pass me by / Don't make me cry1968, Ringo Starr, “Don't Pass Me By”, performed by The Beatles:
- But your empty eyes seem to pass me by / Leave me dancing with myself1981 January 23, Billy Idol, Tony James, “Dancing with Myself”, in Kiss Me Deadly, performed by Generation X:
3
Of a period of time To elapse.
- Nearly a year has passed by since I first laid eyes on him.
4
Philippines To drop by.