slip
To slide unintentionally for a short distance, often losing one's balance. It can also mean to make a mistake or fail in a task.
To slip means to lose balance and slide unintentionally, or to make a minor mistake.
Mot en 30 secondes
- Unintentionally slide or lose balance.
- Can mean making a minor mistake.
- Common in physical and figurative contexts.
Summary
To slip means to lose balance and slide unintentionally, or to make a minor mistake.
- Unintentionally slide or lose balance.
- Can mean making a minor mistake.
- Common in physical and figurative contexts.
Visualize the action
Imagine someone sliding on ice or a banana peel. This physical image helps understand the core meaning of 'slip'.
Beware of slippery surfaces
When you hear 'slip', think about potential hazards like wet floors, ice, or oil, which can cause physical slips.
Common slips in conversation
Phrases like 'slip of the tongue' are common and refer to saying something accidentally that you didn't intend to say.
Exemples
4 sur 4I slipped on a patch of ice and almost fell.
The politician's controversial statement caused a major slip in public opinion.
Oops, sorry, that was a slip of the tongue.
The company experienced a significant slip in its quarterly profits.
Famille de mots
Astuce mémo
Imagine a slippery banana peel causing someone to 'slip' and fall. For mistakes, think of a small 'slip' of paper falling unnoticed, representing a minor error.
Overview
The word 'slip' primarily describes an unintentional loss of footing or balance, causing someone or something to slide briefly. This can happen on slippery surfaces like ice or wet floors. Beyond its physical meaning, 'slip' is also used figuratively to indicate a mistake, error, or failure, often a minor one. It can refer to a slip of the tongue, a slip in judgment, or a decline in performance.
Usage Patterns
As a verb, 'slip' is often followed by prepositions like 'on' (slip on ice), 'into' (slip into a room), or 'away' (slip away unnoticed). It can also be used transitively, meaning to cause something to slide, as in 'slip the book onto the shelf.' Figuratively, it's used with abstract nouns like 'judgment' or 'performance' (his judgment slipped) or with 'of the tongue' to denote an unintentional utterance.
Common Contexts
Physically, 'slip' is common in contexts involving weather (icy roads, rain), household chores (spilled liquids), or sports (a player slipping on the field). Figuratively, it appears in discussions about performance reviews, academic testing, social interactions (a social slip), and even in legal or financial contexts where a mistake can have consequences. The phrase 'slip up' is a common phrasal verb meaning to make a mistake.
Similar Words Comparison:
- Slide: 'Slide' is a more general term for smooth movement along a surface, often intentional (e.g., slide down a hill). 'Slip' specifically implies an unintentional loss of control or balance.
- Stumble: 'Stumble' means to trip or nearly fall, usually by catching one's foot. While related to losing balance, it focuses more on the catching action than the sliding motion.
- Fall: 'Fall' is a more serious consequence of losing balance, resulting in hitting the ground. A slip might lead to a fall, but it doesn't always.
- Err: 'Err' is a formal verb meaning to make a mistake. 'Slip' is less formal and often implies a minor or unintentional error.
Notes d'usage
The verb 'slip' can describe both a physical action and a figurative mistake. When used physically, it often implies a brief, uncontrolled movement. Figuratively, it usually refers to a minor error or a decline in performance or status.
Erreurs courantes
Learners might confuse 'slip' with 'slide' or 'stumble'. Remember that 'slip' strongly implies an unintentional loss of footing and sliding. Also, ensure correct preposition use, like 'slip on ice' or 'slip into a habit'.
Astuce mémo
Imagine a slippery banana peel causing someone to 'slip' and fall. For mistakes, think of a small 'slip' of paper falling unnoticed, representing a minor error.
Origine du mot
The word 'slip' has Old English origins, likely related to the verb 'slippan', meaning to glide or slide. Its meaning has evolved to encompass both physical sliding and figurative errors.
Contexte culturel
The image of someone slipping on a banana peel is a classic comedic trope in Western culture, highlighting the unexpected and often embarrassing nature of such an event.
Exemples
I slipped on a patch of ice and almost fell.
everydayThe politician's controversial statement caused a major slip in public opinion.
newsOops, sorry, that was a slip of the tongue.
informalThe company experienced a significant slip in its quarterly profits.
businessFamille de mots
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
Don't slip up!
slip through the cracks
slip away
Souvent confondu avec
'Slide' implies a smooth, often controlled movement along a surface, like sliding down a playground slide. 'Slip' specifically suggests an unintentional loss of control or footing, often on a slippery surface.
'Stumble' means to trip or nearly fall by catching your foot on something. While both involve losing balance, 'stumble' focuses on the catching action, whereas 'slip' emphasizes the sliding motion.
Modèles grammaticaux
Visualize the action
Imagine someone sliding on ice or a banana peel. This physical image helps understand the core meaning of 'slip'.
Beware of slippery surfaces
When you hear 'slip', think about potential hazards like wet floors, ice, or oil, which can cause physical slips.
Common slips in conversation
Phrases like 'slip of the tongue' are common and refer to saying something accidentally that you didn't intend to say.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
Be careful walking on the wet floor, you might ______.
The sentence implies an unintentional loss of balance on a slippery surface, which is the primary meaning of 'slip'.
Select the best option to fill the blank.
He made a serious ______ in his calculations, costing the company a lot of money.
In this context, 'slip' refers to a mistake or error in judgment or calculation.
Arrange the words to form a correct sentence.
ice / on / the / be / careful / to / slip / might / you
This option forms a grammatically correct and natural-sounding warning sentence using the word 'slip'.
Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsA 'slip' is an unintentional slide or loss of balance, which might lead to a 'fall'. A 'fall' is the act of going down suddenly to the ground, often as a result of slipping.
Yes, 'slip' is often used figuratively to mean making a mistake or error, especially a minor or unintentional one. Examples include 'a slip of the tongue' or 'a slip in judgment'.
'Slip up' is a phrasal verb that means to make a mistake or error, similar to the figurative meaning of 'slip'. It usually refers to a minor blunder.
Typically, 'slip' refers to a brief, unintentional loss of balance or a minor mistake. While it can sometimes lead to a more serious injury (a fall), the word itself usually implies a less severe event.
