What is "hospital pass"

n. 1 (context literally English) A pass (for schools, military, etc.) exempting one from regular activities, to instead visit a hospital for treatment 2 (context figuratively sport British Australian Irish English) A poorly executed pass to a team-mate, who is likely to lose the ball as a result. (Originally rugby union, where the recipient of a hospital pass is a sitting duck for a hard tackle.) 3 (context by extension English) a promotion or delegation which is likely to end in failure or ignominy; a poisoned chalice 4 (context figuratively Ultimate Frisbee English) A throw that stays in the air long enough that it allows too many people to get underneath it, increasing the risk of injury and a trip to the hospital.

"Hospital pass" is a term originally used in football codes to describe a pass that subjects the recipient to heavy contact, usually unavoidable, from an opposing player — the expression implying that the recipient of the pass could end up in hospital. The term may be applied to passes between team-mates in several sports including ice hockey, lacrosse, ultimate, rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules football, and American football — and is now widely used metaphorically.