slip

verb, noun verb (-pp-) slide / fall 1 [V] ~ (over) to slide a short distance accidentally so that you fall or nearly fall: She slipped over on the ice and broke her leg. * As I ran up the stairs, my foot slipped and I fell. out of position 2 [V] [usually +adv./prep.] to slide out of position or out of your hand: His hat had slipped over one eye. * The fish slipped out of my hand. * The child slipped from his grasp and ran off. * (figurative) She was careful not to let her control slip. go / put quickly 3 [V+adv./prep.] to go somewhere quickly and quietly, especially without being noticed: She slipped out of the house before the others were awake. * The ship slipped into the harbour at night. * (figurative) She knew that time was slipping away. 4 to put sth somewhere quickly, quietly or secretly: [VN, +adv./prep.] Anna slipped her hand into his. * He slipped the letter back into its envelope. * She slipped her head around the door. * I managed to slip a few jokes into my speech. * I managed to slip in a few jokes. * [VNN, VN] They'd slipped the guards some money. * They'd slipped some money to the guards. become worse 5 [V] to fall to a lower level; to become worse: His popularity has slipped recently. * The director never lets the tension slip. * That's three times she's beaten me-I must be slipping! into difficult situation 6 [V+adv./prep.] to pass into a particular state or situation, especially a difficult or unpleasant one: He began to slip into debt. * The patient had slipped into a coma. * We seem to have slipped behind schedule. clothes on / off 7 [+adv./prep.] to put clothes on or to take them off quickly and easily: [V] to slip into / out of a dress * [VN] to slip your shoes on / off * He slipped a coat over his sweatshirt. get free 8 to get free; to make sth/sb/yourself free from sth: [VN] The ship had slipped its moorings in the night. * The dog slipped its collar. * [V-ADJ] The animal had slipped free and escaped. [also VN-ADJ] IDIOMS let slip sth to give sb information that is supposed to be secret: I happened to let it slip that he had given me ｣1000 for the car. * She tried not to let slip what she knew. let sth slip (through your fingers) to miss or fail to use an opportunity: Don't let the chance to work abroad slip through your fingers. slip your mind if sth slips your mind, you forget it or forget to do it: I'm sorry I didn't tell you. It completely slipped my mind. slip one over on sb (informal) to trick sb slip through the net when sb/sth slips through the net, an organization or a system fails to find them and deal with them: We tried to contact all former students, but one or two slipped through the net. moreatGEARn., TONGUEn. PHRASALVERBS slip away to stop existing; to disappear or die: Their support gradually slipped away. slip out when sth slips out, you say it without really intending to: I'm sorry I said that. It just slipped out. slip up (informal) to make a careless mistake: We can't afford to slip up. * The government slipped up badly over the scandal. relatednounSLIP-UP