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