pass out

To suddenly become unable to see, think, or move normally because you lose consciousness.

• I felt dizzy and passed out.
• She passes out when she sees blood.
• Did he pass out because of the heat?

Similar words: faint, lose consciousness

Opposites: come round

Common phrases: pass out suddenly, almost pass out

To fall asleep suddenly because you are very tired or have taken alcohol or drugs.

• He passed out on the sofa.
• After the long shift, I passed out fully dressed.
• She drank too much and passed out before midnight.

Similar words: fall asleep, crash out

Opposites: wake up

Common phrases: pass out drunk, pass out exhausted

To give things to several people, usually one thing to each person.

• Please pass out these papers.
• Volunteers passed out food to the crowd.
• Have you passed them out yet?

How to use it: pass something out to someone (Please pass these forms out to the parents.); pass out something (They pass out free snacks at the station.)

Similar words: hand out, give out, distribute

Opposites: collect

Common phrases: pass out leaflets, pass out copies

To finish training successfully and become ready to do a particular job.

• The recruits pass out next month.
• He passed out as a trained firefighter.
• Their families attended the ceremony when the cadets passed out.

How to use it: pass out as something (She passed out as a qualified officer.)

Similar words: qualify, complete training

Common phrases: pass out successfully, pass out together

To move through an opening and leave a place.

• We passed out through the gate.
• The crowd passed out of the building slowly.
• A narrow doorway let us pass out into the yard.

How to use it: pass out of somewhere (Visitors pass out of the hall through the side door.)

Similar words: go out, leave, exit

Opposites: enter

Common phrases: pass out quietly, pass out slowly

To finish a university course successfully and receive your qualification.

• She passed out of college last year.
• He passed out of university with a degree in law.
• When did you pass out of medical college?

How to use it: pass out of a university (He passed out of the university with an engineering degree.)

Similar words: graduate

Common phrases: pass out young, pass out together