‘Pass Go’: Definition, Meaning, and Examples

Have you heard someone say don’t ‘pass go’ and wondered what they meant by that? In this article, we’ll take a look at the definition and origin of the phrase and provide some examples of how to use the phrase correctly in a sentence.

In short:

• ‘Pass go’ means to do something or go somewhere without delay, distraction, or deviation. But if someone says ‘do not pass go,’ it means not only did you fail or lose, but you did so pretty badly (and sometimes embarrassingly).

Essentially, it means to do something without receiving further instructions or to complete a difficult or dangerous task successfully.

What Does ‘Pass Go’ Mean?

‘Pass go’ is an American expression that people use to refer to doing something or going somewhere without delay, distraction, or deviation. But it can also mean doing something difficult or dangerous successfully (or without failing).

The expression is one commonly used in its negated version.

• For example, instead of saying ‘pass go,’ some people use the phrase ‘do not pass go.’

When someone says this, they’re letting you know that you failed miserably or that you didn’t do what was expected of you.

When someone says, ‘do not pass go,’ you know you’ve royally screwed up.

Where Does ‘Pass Go’ Come From? 

The phrase ‘pass go’ comes from the game Monopoly, in which players must ‘Pass Go’ and earn $200 (depending on the version of Monopoly being played).

In the game of Monopoly, if you’re sent to jail, you’re not able to ‘pass go’ and collect your $200 the way you’re supposed to.

Everyone starts at ‘Go’ and gets $200 at the start of the game, but if you get held up in any way, you won’t be able to ‘pass go’ and get your money.

Examples of ‘Pass Go’ in a Sentence

How would you use ‘pass go’ in a sentence?

Let’s look at some examples: 

• You better pass go on this new business opportunity. We can’t afford to lose out on this deal, so you better put your best foot forward.
• We have to pass go on this test. I don’t care how much studying we have to do, but I have to get an A, or I won’t be able to go to the movie theater with my friends on the weekend.
• Miss Hannah, do not pass go. You fumbled that pretty badly, but the good news is that I can help you turn things around.
• I did not pass go when I went out to run errands. I ended up having iced lattes with my sister instead once we ran into each other at the coffee shop.
• When I attempted a new skateboard trick, my friends told me I passed go. I don’t know what that means, but I guess it’s a good thing.
• When I found out my sister was applying to Harvard, I told her she better pass go and get in. I wanted to be able to say I know someone who went to Harvard. Don’t ask me why, but I love bragging rights.

Other Ways to Say ‘Pass Go’

What other words and phrases convey the same thing as ‘pass go’?

Here are a few examples:

• Succeed
• Do well
• Achieve your goals
• Do great
• Do amazing
• Prosper
• Make good
• Achieve success
• Be successful
• Be a success
• Triumph
• Flourish
• Make the grade

Concluding Thoughts on ‘Pass Go’

To recap, we learned that:

• ‘Pass go’ refers to doing something or going somewhere without delay, distraction, or deviation. However, if someone says, ‘do not pass go,’ it means not only did you fail or lose, but you probably failed (and embarrassed yourself doing it).

Essentially, the phrase means to do something without receiving further instructions or to complete a difficult or dangerous task successfully.

If you ever get stuck on anything, you can always come back here to review what you learned. We’ve got a whole library of content dedicated to explaining confusing Idioms. Go check out our Idiom library anytime.