Slip
/slɪp/
Definitions
4 meaningsTo slide unintentionally, often causing a loss of balance or control.
/slɪp/
To slide unintentionally and lose one's balance.
He slipped on the wet floor and nearly fell.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're walking and suddenly your foot slides out from under you. That's a slip! It usually happens because something is wet or smooth.
👶 For kids: To slide on something and almost fall down!
More Examples
Be careful; the path is slippery and you might slip.
She slipped and sprained her ankle.
How It's Used
"She slipped on the ice and fell."
"The runner slipped as he rounded the final turn."
To move or pass quickly, smoothly, or unnoticed.
/slɪp/
To pass or move quickly or smoothly.
The opportunity slipped away before I could seize it.
💡 Simply: Imagine a secret that gets out without anyone intending it to. Or a moment that disappears quickly, like the feeling of a fun day.
👶 For kids: To go or move fast and easy, like a secret going out.
More Examples
The secret slipped out during the conversation.
He slipped away from the party unnoticed.
How It's Used
"Time seemed to slip away while we were talking."
"The news of the scandal slipped out quickly."
An instance of sliding unintentionally; a mistake.
/slɪp/
An instance of sliding unintentionally.
The cyclist had a slip on the gravel and fell.
💡 Simply: It is a fall, slide, or mistake when you lose your balance or control. Like when your foot slides on something wet.
👶 For kids: When you slide and almost fall.
More Examples
The accident was caused by a slip on the stairs.
It was just a slip of the tongue, I didn't mean to say that.
How It's Used
"He took a slip on the icy sidewalk and landed on his back."
"A slip in the field allowed the batter to score."
A small piece of paper, often used for a specific purpose.
/slɪp/
A small piece of paper or material.
Please fill out a deposit slip.
💡 Simply: A small piece of paper used for a specific purpose, like writing down an order in a store or at a restaurant.
👶 For kids: A small piece of paper.
More Examples
The waiter gave us a bill slip.
I need to get a prescription slip from my doctor.
How It's Used
"Fill out this slip and hand it to the cashier."
"He handed the teller a deposit slip."
Synonyms
Skid
Slide
Escape
Glide
Pass
Error
Fall
Mistake
Chit
Form
Idioms & expressions
a slip of the tongue
An unintentional mistake in speaking.
"I didn't mean to reveal that secret; it was just a slip of the tongue."
let something slip
To allow something to be forgotten or to no longer maintain control of a situation.
"Don't let your guard slip; stay vigilant."
give someone the slip
To escape from someone; to get away from someone, often without being noticed.
"The spy managed to give his pursuers the slip."
From Middle English slippen, from Old English *slīpan (verb), related to Old Norse slípa (“to grind, polish, slip”).
The word 'slip' has been used since Old English times, initially referring to sliding or gliding.