pass up an opportunity

Meaning

This expression means to decline, reject, or fail to take advantage of a favorable chance or offer. It is commonly used in professional contexts when discussing career moves, investments, or business deals. The tone is neutral, often carrying a sense of regret or careful decision-making.

Examples

• I couldn't pass up an opportunity to work with such a talented creative team.

  I couldn't pass up an opportunity to work with such a talented creative team.

• If you pass up this opportunity now, you might not get another chance next year.

  If you pass up this opportunity now, you might not get another chance next year.

• She decided to pass up the promotion because it required relocating to another country.

  She decided to pass up the promotion because it required relocating to another country.

• It's hard to pass up an opportunity to expand our business into the European market.

  It's hard to pass up an opportunity to expand our business into the European market.

• We shouldn't pass up an opportunity to collaborate with a market leader like them.

  We shouldn't pass up an opportunity to collaborate with a market leader like them.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I decided to lose an opportunity to work abroad.

  ✓ I decided to pass up an opportunity to work abroad.

  Using 'lose' implies an accidental loss, whereas 'pass up' means a conscious decision to decline or reject an offer.

• ✗ He passed over the opportunity.

  ✓ He passed up the opportunity.

  'Pass over' means to ignore someone for a promotion. 'Pass up' is the correct phrasal verb for declining a beneficial offer.

Related Expressions

Practice

• When they offered him the partnership, he knew he couldn't ___.

  💡 decline a great chance

  Show answer

  pass up the opportunity

• It's a mistake to ___ to network with industry leaders.

  💡 turn down a favorable situation

  Show answer

  pass up an opportunity