26984 words

slips

30 definitions • 51 examples
1
to slide without intending to:

Examples:

She slipped on the ice.
Careful you don't slip - there's water on the floor.
The razor slipped while he was shaving and he cut himself.
2
to move out of the correct position:

Examples:

Her hat had slipped over one eye.
He could feel the rope slipping out of his grasp.
3
to go somewhere or put something somewhere quickly, often so that you are not noticed:

Examples:

slip out of Just slip out of the room while nobody's looking.
slip something into something He slipped a piece of paper into my hand with his address on it.
[ + two objects ] If you slip the waiter some money/slip some money to the waiter he'll give you the best table.
4
to go into a worse state, often because of lack of control or care:

Examples:

Productivity in the factory has slipped noticeably in the last year.
The schedule has started to slip (= things are happening later than planned).
I don't know what went wrong, I must be slipping.
5
to get free from, leave, or escape something:

Examples:

The ship slipped its moorings.
6
in boxing, to avoid a punch (= hit) by quickly moving your body or head:

Examples:

slip a punch He knew how to slip punches beautifully.
Ruiz slipped a left jab and blasted Petrov in the temple with a perfect right hand.
7
to go down in value:

Examples:

slip against The dollar slipped against the Japanese yen.
8
a small piece of paper:

Examples:

slip of paper When I have an idea, I write it on a slip of paper and put it in this box.
If you want to order a book fill out the green slip.
9

Examples:

make a slip She's made one or two slips - mainly spelling errors - but it's basically well written.
10
an act of falling or sliding:

Examples:

One slip meant a long tumble to the rocks below.
11
an occasion when something becomes worse:

Examples:

A slip in the value of the U.S. dollar helped push prices higher.
12
a piece of underwear that is like a dress or skirt
13
a place where a boat or ship can be parked, between two piers
14
in cricket, a position of a fielder (= a player who tries to stop the other team from scoring by stopping or catching the ball) who is close to and behind the batter (= the player who tries to hit the ball):

Examples:

He edged an off-cutter and the catch was well taken at first slip.
15
in cricket, a player who fields (= tries to stop the other team from scoring by stopping or catching the ball) at the position of slip:

Examples:

It was a very attacking field with three slips and two gullies.
16
small and thin, usually because of being young:

Examples:

slip of a girl I knew her when she was a slip of a girl.
17
to escape from someone who is following or chasing you:

Examples:

The robber took to the rooftops, and that's how he gave the police the slip.
18
to slide suddenly and without intending to:

Examples:

He slipped on an icy sidewalk and broke his hip.
The blanket began to slip off my shoulders.
19
to move easily and quietly so you are not noticed, or to move something easily into position:

Examples:

[ I always + adv/prep ] He was able to slip out of the room without disturbing anyone.
[ T always + adv/prep ] Ben slipped the credit card into the machine.
[ I always + adv/prep ] fig. While I napped in my chair, the hours slipped by.
20
If you slip something to someone, you give it to that person without attracting attention:

Examples:

[ T always + adv/prep ] I slipped some money to the maitre d’ to get a table.
[ T always + adv/prep ] She slipped her hand into his.
21
to change to a worse state or condition:

Examples:

We’ve slipped even further behind schedule.
After slipping into a coma, he never woke up.
22
to get away from or get free from something:

Examples:

[ T ] The dog slipped its leash and ran off.
[ I always + adv/prep ] The ball slipped through my fingers.
23
a small piece of paper:

Examples:

You get a slip from the cash machine when you take out money.
24
a mistake that someone makes when not being careful:

Examples:

She has made some slips lately that show she’s thinking about other things.
25
women’s underwear that is shaped like a skirt or a dress
26
to become worse, lower, or less in value:

Examples:

He sold his shares, just before sales began to slip.
slip against sth The dollar slipped against the Japanese yen.
slip (from sth) to sth February crude oil slipped 1¢ to $18.96 a barrel.
The proportion of shares held by UK individuals slipped from 14% to 13% last year.
27
a reduction in the level or amount of something:

Examples:

a slip in something The retail group reported a 5% slip in sales.
recent slips in the value of the stock market
28
a small piece of paper, especially with writing on it:

Examples:

When I gave him his credit card slip, he added a $20 tip.
She scribbled a number on a slip of paper and handed it to me.
reply/packing slip Packing slips show the retailer's name and address.
29
a mistake:

Examples:

30
a small mistake made while speaking:

Examples:

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