parade passed someone by

English

Pronunciation

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Phrase

parade passed someone by

1. (idiomatic) Someone missed out on the joys of life, an opportunity, or popular movement
   • 2007, Christie Mellor, chapter 7, in Three-Martini Family Vacation: A Field Guide to Intrepid Parenting, Chronicle Books LLC, →ISBN, page 43:

     Have you stopped going out in the evening altogether because you don't want to disrupt your child's "routine"? Has the parade passed you by?

   • 1964, Jerry Herman (lyrics and music), “Before the Parade Passes By”, in Jerry Herman (lyrics), Jerry Herman (music), Hello Dolly!, End of Act I. Hello Dolly! Produced for the Broadway stage by David Merrick and Champion-Five, Inc:

     Before the parade passes by / I've gotta get some life back into my life / I'm ready to move out in front / I've had enough of just passing by life / With the rest of them / With the best of them / I can hold my head up high / For I've got a goal again / I've got a drive again / I wanna feel my heart coming alive again / Before the parade passes by

2. (idiomatic) Someone no longer has what it takes to remain competetive and thus has no future in a particular role.
   • 1996, Krin Gabbard, chapter 4, in Jammin' at the Margins: Jazz and the American Cinema, The University of Chicago Press, →ISBN, page 149:

     In The Five Pennies [1959 Film biography of Red Nichols, directed by Melville Shavelson] ...One young man says, "My father told me all about you.... He said you were smart to get out of the business before the parade passed you by." Outraged at this slight and intent on proving that he is still musically potent, Nichols is conveniently handed a cornet by his wife, who sees an opportunity to bring him back to the music after many years.

Synonyms

• (someone no longer has a future in a role): washed up