Meaning trap
pass by
miss an opportunity
To fail to take advantage of an opportunity or allow it to go unnoticed or unused.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To fail to take advantage of an opportunity or allow it to go unnoticed or unused.
'pass by' also has the more basic meaning 'to go past someone or something'; this is the advanced sense.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
Don't let this chance pass by—you might not get another one.
Many people regret letting valuable opportunities pass by due to fear or indecision.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: Don't let the chance pass by you.
Say: Don't let the chance pass you by.
Word order — 'pass you by', not 'pass by you'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Let it pass you by' is the natural idiom; 'permit it to elapse unutilised' is dense and lifeless.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
let something pass you by
- let it pass you by
- life passing by
- let the chance pass
- pass me by
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- pass by (to go past someone or something) — 'pass by' also has the more basic meaning 'to go past someone or something'; this is the advanced sense.