The phrasal verb "pass on" is commonly used in both informal and formal contexts, though it leans slightly more towards informal everyday conversations. It is versatile and can mean to transfer something, like information or objects, from one person to another, as in "Please pass on my regards," which is often used in polite formal and informal settings. In informal contexts, "pass on" means to decline or reject an offer, such as food or an opportunity, as in "I'll pass on the dessert." Another common usage is to refer to the act of dying, often phrased euphemistically as "he passed on," which appears across both informal and formal contexts. Additionally, "pass on" can mean to forego an opportunity, such as "I'm going to pass on this job offer." It’s important to consider the context to understand the intended meaning, as it varies widely across different scenarios.
B1
PreIntermediate
1. To give information, knowledge, or a physical object to someone else.
Please pass on this message to your manager.
She passed on the family's secret recipe to her daughter.
2. To die, often used as a polite or softer expression.
He passed on peacefully in his sleep last night.
I'm sorry to hear that your grandfather passed on.