hard pass

plural hard passes

1. USgovernmentAn enduring (nontemporary) clearance to enter the West Wing of the White House, signified by a laminated card.

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

   1997, United States Congress Senate Special Committee to Investigate Whitewater Development Corporation and Related Matters, Investigation of Whitewater Development Corporation and related matters, →ISBN

   3 more 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.

   1996, Deposition Transcripts from the Committee Investigation Into the White House Office Travel Matter, →ISBN

   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.

   2007, Martha Joynt Kumar, Managing the President's Message, →ISBN

   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.

   2012, Nicolle Wallace, It's Classified: A Novel, →ISBN, page 32

2. idiomaticinformalAn unequivocal rejection with no possibility of a later change of mind.

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

   2016, Maisey Yates, Last Chance Rebel, →ISBN

   2 more examples

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

   2003, The Indus Entrepreneurs, Essentials of Entrepreneurship, →ISBN

   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.

   2016, Kendall Ryan, The Fix Up, →ISBN

3. hobbiesA pass to another player that is delivered with a particularly high level of force.

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

   2006, Dick DeVenzio, Stuff Good Players Should Know: Intelligent Basketball from A to Z, →ISBN

   3 more examples

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

   1995, John Shorey, Hockey Made Easy : Instructional Manual, →ISBN, page 42

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

   1999, H.C. Dubey, Dph Sports Series-Football, →ISBN, page 164

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

   2012, Jim Hinkson, Lacrosse Fundamentals, →ISBN, page 31

4. datedA difficult time in one's life, especially one characterized by financial difficulties.

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

   1821, Sir Walter Scott, Kenilworth

   2 more examples

   "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."

   1873, Charles Gibbon, The casquet of literature, a selection in poetry and prose

   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.

   1885, National and English Review - Volume 5, page 25