Give someone a pass ✋❌

Meaning

To excuse someone for a mistake or overlook a fault.

Origin

This phrase likely emerged from the world of sports, particularly American football, where a 'pass' refers to a forward throw of the ball. A player who is unable to complete a pass often faces a penalty or negative outcome. However, if the referee signals a 'pass' out of bounds or for some other reason, it effectively absolves the quarterback from blame for that particular play. This idea of a missed action being excused or overlooked seamlessly transitioned into everyday language, signifying a moment where someone's error is forgiven or ignored.

🗣️ communication ⚖️✅ honesty 🔒 secrets 🎭🤥 deception

Give someone a pass represented with emoji✋❌

This playful combination of a hand and a cross playfully subverts the notion of what it means to offer forgiveness, teaching the viewer to think beyond simple absolution and consider the nuances of granting a 'pass'.

Examples

  • He was late again, but the boss decided to give him a pass this time.
  • She completely forgot the deadline, but her classmates gave her a pass because she'd been very sick.
  • The dragon wasn't really breathing fire, just a smoky sneeze, so the knights decided to give him a pass on the whole 'incinerating villages' thing.
  • The wizard's potion turned the prince into a frog, but because it was his first magical mishap, the king gave him a pass.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'give someone a pass' only used for minor mistakes?

While often used for minor errors, 'give someone a pass' can also apply to more significant faults if the forgiving party chooses to overlook them. The phrase emphasizes the act of deliberate leniency rather than the scale of the transgression.

What's the opposite of 'give someone a pass'?

The opposite of 'give someone a pass' is to 'hold someone accountable' or 'not let someone off the hook'. These phrases imply that a mistake or fault will not be excused or ignored.

Can you 'give someone a pass' on something they did intentionally?

Yes, you can still 'give someone a pass' even if their action was intentional, though it might imply a more significant act of forgiveness. The phrase focuses on the decision to excuse or overlook, regardless of the intent behind the original action.

Are there situations where you *shouldn't* 'give someone a pass'?

You might choose not to 'give someone a pass' in situations involving serious breaches of trust, repeated offenses, or when upholding standards is critical. The decision to give a pass is a personal judgment call based on context and consequences.

Similar to "give someone a pass"

Let someone off the hook
Both phrases mean to absolve someone of responsibility, but 'letting someone off the hook' carries a stronger sense of rescuing them from a potentially difficult or punishable situation, like a fisherman releasing a live catch
Turn a blind eye
Both mean to overlook wrongdoing, but 'turning a blind eye' suggests a more deliberate and perhaps complicit act of ignoring something obvious, whereas 'giving a pass' can be a more straightforward act of leniency
Give someone a break
Both phrases offer leniency, but 'giving someone a break' often implies stopping something annoying or difficult that's currently happening to them, like pausing a relentless series of demands

Opposite of "give someone a pass"

Hold someone accountable
This phrase argues that people should face consequences for their actions, directly challenging the leniency of 'giving someone a pass' by insisting on fairness and responsibility
Throw the book at someone
This argues for the harshest possible punishment, standing in stark opposition to the idea of overlooking faults presented by 'giving someone a pass', and instead advocating for maximum penalty
Demand satisfaction
This demands that amends be made for an offense, a clear counterpoint to unearned forgiveness, highlighting the importance of repairing harm rather than simply excusing the perpetrator

Related to "give someone a pass"

Second chances
This phrase shares the idea of offering leniency for past mistakes, but specifically frames it as a repeated opportunity for redemption rather than a one-time overlooking of a fault
Benefit of the doubt
This shares the concept of not immediately assuming the worst, but it focuses on interpreting someone's intentions favorably rather than excusing a confirmed mistake
Cover for someone
This relates by involving the act of protecting someone from negative consequences, but specifically implies actively deceiving others or hiding the truth to shield them from scrutiny
Let bygones be bygones
This shares the sentiment of moving past past grievances, but it's a more general call for reconciliation and forgetting, not necessarily tied to directly excusing a specific, known transgression