What does pass away mean?

[van7hu.]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #299 "Life: Phrasal Verbs", question 7

My grandfather ......... away last year. I miss him a lot.

(a) died
(b) passed
(c) ceased
(d) lived

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #299 "Life: Phrasal Verbs", answer 7

My grandfather passed away last year. I miss him a lot.

Correct answer: (b) passed
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(B)

van7hu

[Van7hu]

I only guess. "pass away"="die" ?

[Linda]

Yes - if someone passed away, he/she died.
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[Duet062010]

Why not "die away"?

[Beeesneees]

Because that's not an idiomatic expression.

Plants can be described as dying away (fading and dying). People cannot.
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"Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened."
Terry Pratchett