pasar por alto
verbCEFR B2
What does “pasar por alto” mean in English?
to overlook, to skip over
to overlook, to skip over (to fail to notice or deliberately ignore; more neutral than hacer la vista gorda)
Example sentences
El auditor pasó por alto varios errores contables que deberían haber saltado a la vista.
The auditor overlooked several accounting errors that should have been obvious.
Vamos a pasar por alto los tecnicismos y centrarnos en las implicaciones prácticas.
Let's skip the technicalities and focus on the practical implications.
No se puede pasar por alto el impacto que esta decisión tendrá sobre las comunidades locales.
The impact this decision will have on local communities cannot be overlooked.
How to use it
Pasar por alto means 'to overlook', 'to fail to notice', or 'to skip over'. It can be accidental or deliberate. Construction: pasar por alto + noun object: 'pasar por alto un detalle', 'pasar por alto sus advertencias'. The phrase is used both critically (you should have noticed) and neutrally (let's skip this for now). Contrast with hacer la vista gorda (always deliberate, implies complicity) and ignorar (stronger, often deliberate non-engagement).
Common mistake
Pasar por alto can be accidental or deliberate — context clarifies which. Hacer la vista gorda is always deliberate and implies complicity. Don't confuse with ignorar (active dismissal) or no tener en cuenta (not considering at all). The preposition is por alto — never *por encima or *a lo alto.