Slip

This meaning is about something gradually sliding away from where it should be. Imagine wearing a loose bracelet that keeps slipping down your wrist every time you move your hand. This is slipping — something slowly moving out of place without you wanting it to. You might feel your glasses slipping down your nose, or notice a blanket slipping off the bed at night. Or think about holding a heavy bag and feeling the strap slip off your shoulder. The word suggests a quiet, gradual movement you can’t quite stop. ✏️ Unlike meaning 1, this isn’t about falling — it’s about something slowly losing its position.

This meaning is about moving somewhere in a quiet, smooth way — often so nobody notices. Imagine being at a boring party and deciding to slip out the back door before anyone sees you leave. This is slipping away — leaving without drawing attention. You might slip out of a meeting early, or someone could slip into a room without anyone noticing. Or picture a teenager slipping out of the house at night to meet friends. The word suggests smooth, almost invisible movement. ✏️ This often goes with “out,” “away,” “into,” or “through” — the direction matters.

This meaning is about placing something somewhere in a smooth, often discreet way. Imagine writing your phone number on a piece of paper and slipping it into someone’s hand during a handshake. This is slipping something — putting it somewhere gently and without fuss. You might slip a letter under someone’s door, or slip your phone into your pocket during a meeting. Or picture a spy slipping a secret note into a book on a library shelf. The word carries a feeling of smoothness and subtlety. ✏️ This meaning always needs a direction — you slip something “into,” “under,” or “through” somewhere.

This meaning is about handing someone something in a discreet, hidden way — especially money. Imagine being at a restaurant and slipping the host some cash so you can skip the waiting line and get a table right away. This is slipping someone something — a secret, quiet exchange. You might slip the waiter a tip before the meal, or someone could slip a friend some money to help them out. Or picture slipping your kid some extra pocket money when their other parent isn’t looking. The word suggests a private, almost conspiratorial moment. ✏️ The structure is usually “slip someone something” — the person comes before the thing you’re giving.

This meaning is about getting dressed or undressed in a quick, effortless way. Imagine coming home after a long day and slipping off your shoes at the door without even bending down. This is slipping on or off — putting on or removing clothes in one smooth motion. You might slip into a jacket before heading out, or slip off your heels the moment you get home. Or picture someone slipping on a robe after a shower. The word suggests something easy and natural — no struggle, no effort. ✏️ We say “slip into” for putting on and “slip off” or “slip out of” for removing — the preposition changes the direction.

This meaning is about something gradually becoming worse — standards, quality, performance, or numbers going down. Imagine a student whose grades have been slipping all semester because they stopped studying. This is slipping — a slow, steady decline. You might hear “sales have slipped this quarter” or “his concentration has been slipping lately.” Or think about a company whose reputation starts to slip after a series of bad decisions. The word suggests a quiet, gradual fall rather than a sudden crash. ✏️ This is very common in business and news — stock prices slip, ratings slip, standards slip.

This meaning is about a small, usually narrow piece of paper with something written on it or used for a specific purpose. Imagine someone scribbling a phone number on a slip of paper and handing it to you quickly. This is a slip — a small note or receipt, not a full page. You might get a slip from an ATM after withdrawing cash, or write directions on a slip of paper. Or think about filling out a deposit slip at the bank. The word suggests something small and practical — not a document, just a quick note or receipt. ✏️ Very often used as “a slip of paper” — this is almost a fixed expression in English.

This meaning is about a minor error or careless mistake — usually not a big deal but still noticeable. Imagine giving a presentation and accidentally calling your boss by the wrong name. This is a slip — a small, unintentional mistake that just happens. You might say “sorry, that was a slip” or hear “she’s made a few slips lately.” Or think about a footballer who makes a slip during an important match and gives the ball away. The word suggests the mistake was accidental, not a sign of stupidity. ✏️ The expression “a slip of the tongue” means saying the wrong word by accident — this is one of the most common ways to use this meaning.

This meaning is about the actual event of losing your footing — the fall or slide itself. Imagine watching someone walk across an icy car park and suddenly go down hard. That moment of losing control is the slip. This is the noun form of the physical action. You might say “she had a nasty slip on the stairs” or “one slip on that path could be dangerous.” Or think about a gymnast — one tiny slip on the beam can cost them the gold medal. The word describes the incident, the moment it went wrong. ✏️ Unlike the verb “slip,” this noun focuses on the event itself — “a bad slip” means the fall was serious.

This meaning is about a lightweight piece of women’s clothing worn underneath a dress or skirt. Imagine a woman getting dressed for a formal dinner and putting on a silk slip before her dress so the fabric hangs smoothly. This is a slip — a thin, usually silky undergarment. You might hear “she wore a lace slip under her wedding dress” or see slips displayed in the lingerie section of a shop. Or picture an old movie where the heroine walks around in a satin slip. The word suggests something elegant, light, and feminine. ✏️ This meaning is becoming less common in everyday conversation, but you’ll still see it in fashion and in older books or films.