pass away

pass away (third-person singular simple present passes away, present participle passing away, simple past and past participle passed away)

1. (euphemistic, idiomatic) To die.

   After a long battle with cancer, the professor passed away yesterday.

   • 1922, Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit

     He was wise, for he had seen a long succession of mechanical toys arrive to boast and swagger, and by-and-by break their mainsprings and pass away.

2. (obsolete) To spend; to waste.
   • Bible, Eccles. xlii. 9

     Lest she pass away the flower of her age.

Usually refers to death by natural causes or medical conditions.

• See also Thesaurus:die