Learning English

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Introduction

Someone suggests doing something you just don't want to do – what do you say? We can teach you a way of making it clear you're not interested and you're not going to change your mind. Jiaying and Rob can tell you more in this episode of The English We Speak.

Transcript

Jiaying
This is The English We Speak with me, Jiaying…

Rob
…and me, Rob. In English we have many ways of saying we refuse to do something. The expression ‘hard pass’ means we really don't want to do it!

Jiaying
'Hard pass'. Sometimes we might 'pass' on doing something – meaning we politely say 'no' - but a 'hard pass' is stronger.

Rob
It certainly is. It's a firm rejection and means you're not going to change your mind. You are certain!

Jiaying
Like going for a lovely long walk in the rain. Would you do that?

Rob
I'd give that a hard pass. I'd rather go to the cinema on a rainy day – would you like to come with me?

Jiaying
Err, I think I'll give that a hard pass, thanks! I hate going to the cinema during the day – it’s such a waste of daylight time! But how about some examples instead?

Rob
Sure – there's no hard pass on learning this expression!

Examples
I asked her out for dinner last night but she gave me a hard pass.

Go for a cold water swim? I think I'll give that a hard pass!

I'm giving our holiday plans a hard pass – I can't afford it.

Jiaying
In this episode of The English We Speak, we're talking about the expression 'hard pass'. We can say it when we are certain we don't want to do something and we're not going to change our mind.

Rob
This noun phrase is slang. Formally, we would just say 'no thank you' but with friends we can reject their ideas by giving it a 'hardpass'. The verb we use with it is 'give'. Give something a hardpass.

And Jiaying, you've given going to the cinema with me a hard pass, are you sure I can't change your mind? How about if I buy the popcorn?

Jiaying
No, Rob. I'm certain. I'm going for a nice walk in the sunshine.

Rob
Oh, OK. That's a hard pass from you. Bye.

Jiaying
Bye.

ሐድሽ ፓድካስትታት ተመልከት The English We Speak

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