If something is said in passing, it is said while talking about something else and is not the main subject of a conversation.

When asked if he had told the police about the incident, Mr Banks said he had mentioned it in passing to a detective. 被问及是否已将此告诉了警察时，班克斯先生说他曾向一位侦探顺便提过。

In the article, she refers almost in passing to Chris's literary success.

She acknowledged their financial support, but only in passing.

He noted in passing that the film had grossed over $95 million.

the process of time passing

My parents seem to have mellowed with the passing of the years. 随着岁月的流逝，我父母似乎变得心气平和了。

He had come to look more and more like his father with the passing of the years.

Their music continued to evolve with the passing of time.

With the passing of time, Greek coins became wider and thinner.

The white paint had turned slightly yellow with the passing of the years.

the death or end of someone or something

Ten years after her death, the public still mourns her passing. 她死去10年后，人们仍在为她的去世感到悲痛。

the passing of the old year 旧的一年的流逝

There have been a few tragic passings this year in our family.

moving past

A passing motorist stopped and gave her a lift to the nearby town. 一名路过的汽车司机停下来，把她捎到了附近的镇上。

lasting only for a short time and not important or complete

I gave the restaurant a passing glance as I walked by, but I didn't notice who was in there. 走过这家餐馆时我瞟了一眼，但没有注意到谁在里面。

The matter is only of passing scientific interest. 这东西的科学意义只是暂时的。

Synonyms: brief (SHORT IN TIME)ephemeralevanescent fleetingfugitive (TEMPORARY) momentaryshort-livedtransient transitory

used to refer to a period of time that is going past

The situation seems to become more hopeless with each/every passing day. 日子一天天过去了，局势似乎越来越无可救药了。

a passing resemblanceidiom 些许的相似