Meaning of hard pass | Babel Free

Definitions

1. An enduring (nontemporary) clearance to enter the West Wing of the White House, signified by a laminated card.
   US
2. An unequivocal rejection with no possibility of a later change of mind.
   idiomatic, informal
3. A pass to another player that is delivered with a particularly high level of force.
4. A difficult time in one's life, especially one characterized by financial difficulties.
   dated

Examples

“Did you, in fact, issue a hard pass to Mr. Shapiro? The Witness. I don't recall, but it would be easy to find out.”

“The reason I always wore my hard pass was because I was in charge partly of White House security.”

“In renewing passes, the Press Office and the Secret Service check how often the reporters have entered the White House in order to establish the need for such a credential. Now there are approximately 800 hard pass holders.”

“She still didn't have a hard pass, the official “all access ticket” to the West Wing. The hard pass signaled to the Secret Service that a complete background check had been turned in by the FBI.”

“A hard pass is usually pretty clear: It says that there is no way the VC will invest in your company.”

“Thanks, but I'm going to take a hard pass on your blood money.”

“Nope. That's a hard pass. I set her profile aside. I might be willing to set him up, but not with someone who's freaking perfect.”

“A soft feather pass is easier to receive and control over a hard pass.”

“The player with the ball, X,, has his team-mate in sight and can deliver a hard pass to that player's feet.”

“You don't throw a hard pass if you can throw it softly.”

“Throwing to an experienced player, a passer should throw a hard pass knowing he could catch it with no problem.”

“I need her prayers, for I am at a hard pass — Strange reports are abroad concerning my way of life.”

“"It's a' true!" exclaimed Bauldie Queech, in voice of great distress, "it's an ower true tale, as I ken fu' weel, and fu' sadly, though I didna think to hae tauld what I ken o't to ony ane but the minister: but Rory, ye're a fearless and lang-headed chiel at a hard pass, and as ever ye did gude to a puir body at their wits' ends, ye maun e'en help me now."”

“In the first the supernumeraries consist, on the one hand, of old actors and actresses, some of them of great ability, whom reverse of fortune has brought to this hard pass ; on the other, of ambitious young aspirants of the better class, who are, fortunately for them, undergoing a course of artistic training under Mr. Barrett's able tuition.”

CEFR level