slip
Language: English
Part of speech: verb
Pronunciation: enpr: slĭp
ipa: /slɪp/
rhymes: -ɪp
Forms: form: slips
form: slipping
form: slipped
form: slipped
form: slipt
form: slipt
Etymology: From Middle English slippen, probably from Middle Low German slippen, from Old Saxon *slippian, from Proto-West Germanic *slippjan, from Proto-Germanic *slipjaną (“to glide”), an iterative form of *slīpaną (“to slip, slide”), from Proto-Indo-European *sleyb- (“slimy; to slide”). Possibly ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *slewbʰ- (“slip, slide”), or related to Proto-Germanic *slībaną (“to split”); related to Old English slipor (“slippery”).
Cognate with Saterland Frisian slipje (“to slip”), Dutch slippen (“to slip”), German Low German slippen.
Senses: examples: text: [...] but in the damp conditions prevailing the driver sensibly was unwilling to attempt the climb up through Combe Down tunnel without help, for fear of slipping to a standstill in the unventilated bore, […]
ref: 1960 March, “Motive Power Miscellany: Western Region”, in Trains Illustrated, page 184:
text: Fernando Amorebieta seemed to have checked him, but a stepover created a fraction of room that became significant as the defender slipped, giving Falcao just enough space to curl a superb finish into the top corner.
ref: 2012 May 9, Jonathan Wilson, “Europa League: Radamel Falcao’s Atlético Madrid rout Athletic Bilbao”, in the Guardian:
glosses: To lose one’s traction on a slippery surface; to slide due to a lack of friction.
examples: text: There is one that slippeth in his speach, but not from his heart, and who is he that hath not offended with his tongue?
ref: 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Ecclesiasticus 19:16:
glosses: To err.
glosses: To accidentally reveal a secret or otherwise say something unintentionally.
examples: text: A bone may slip out of place.
glosses: To move or fly (out of place); to shoot; often with out, off, etc.
examples: text: I caught the thief, but he slipped my grasp and ran away.
glosses: To elude or evade by smooth movement.
examples: text: She thanked the porter and slipped a ten-dollar bill into his hand.
glosses: To pass (a note, money, etc.), often covertly.
examples: text: Tvvo other VVitneſſes gave the follovving Evidence; That in his officious Attendance upon his Miſtreſs, he had try'd to ſlip a Povvder into her Drink, and that he vvas once catch'd endeavouring to ſtifle her vvith a Pillovv as ſhe vvas aſleep; […]
ref: 1733, Humphry Polesworth [pseudonym; John Arbuthnot], Alexander Pope, compiler, “Law is a Bottomless Pit. Or, The History of John Bull. […]. The Second Part. Chapter XI. The Apprehending, Examination, and Imprisonment of Jack, for Suspicion of Poisoning.”, in Miscellanies, 2nd edition, volume II, London: […] Benjamin Motte, […], →OCLC, page 119:
text: “This is a very urgent message for the countess’ ears alone,” replied Rokoff. “Tell her that she must arise and slip something about her and come to the telephone. I shall call up again in five minutes.”
ref: 1913, Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Return of Tarzan, New York: Ballantine Books, published 1963, page 43:
glosses: To cause to move smoothly and quickly; to slide; to convey gently or secretly.
examples: text: Some errors slipped into the appendix.
text: Thrice the flitting shadow slipped away.
ref: 1697, Virgil, “Aeneis”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
text: Thus one tradesman slips away, / To give his partner fairer play.
ref: 1718, Mat[thew] Prior, “Alma: Or, The Progress of the Mind”, in Poems on Several Occasions, London: […] Jacob Tonson […], and John Barber […], →OCLC, canto II:
text: We slipped along the hedges, noiseless and swift […]
ref: 1881–1882, Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island, London; Paris: Cassell & Company, published 14 November 1883, →OCLC:
text: Keith wants to have it both ways. He has engaged me in a political debate, but when his politics are challenged he slips behind a smoke-screen of anti-intellectualism.
ref: 1981 December 12, Scott Tucker, “Bring On The Cannon”, in Gay Community News, volume 9, number 21, page 5:
text: He was grey and had eight legs, and could travel anywhere and slip into any corner of 9 worlds. For this reason he was called Sleipnir ("the slipper) and was given to Oðinn as his steed.
ref: 2020, Dagulf Loptson, Pagan Portals - Loki: Trickster and Transformer:
synonyms: slink
glosses: To move quickly and often secretively; to depart, withdraw, enter, appear, intrude, or escape as if by sliding.
examples: text: Profits have slipped over the past six months.
text: The Cottagers had previously gone eight games without a win and had slipped into the relegation zone over Christmas, with boss Hughes criticised by fans after their 3-1 home defeat by fellow basement battlers West Ham on Boxing Day.
ref: 2010 December 28, Marc Vesty, “Stoke 0 – 2 Fulham”, in BBC Sport:
glosses: To move down; to slide.
examples: text: Lucento slipped me like his greyhound.
ref: c. 1590–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Taming of the Shrew”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii]:
text: 'Well, it was one morning early in the spring,' said Lars, 'that I started for Linderudsœter, where I slipped Rap, and he was soon in full cry and made the hillside ring.'
ref: 1881, P. Chr. Asbjörnsen [i.e., Peter Christen Asbjørnsen], translated by H. L. Brækstad, Round the Yule Log. Norwegian Folk and Fairy Tales, London: Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington, →OCLC, page 78:
topics: falconry
hobbies
hunting
lifestyle
glosses: To release (a dog, a bird of prey, etc.) to go after a quarry.
topics: aeronautics
aerospace
aviation
business
engineering
natural-sciences
physical-sciences
glosses: Clipping of sideslip (“to fly with the longitudinal axis misaligned with the relative wind”).
raw_tags: of an aircraft
topics: cooking
food
lifestyle
glosses: To remove the skin of a soft fruit, such as a tomato or peach, by blanching briefly in boiling water, then transferring to cold water so that the skin peels, or slips, off easily.
examples: text: And slip no advantage / That may secure you.
ref: 1611, Ben[jamin] Jonson, Catiline His Conspiracy, London: […] [William Stansby?] for Walter Burre, →OCLC, (please specify the page):
glosses: To omit; to lose by negligence.
examples: text: to slip a piece of cloth or paper
text: The branches also may be slipped and planted.
ref: 1707, J[ohn] Mortimer, The Whole Art of Husbandry; or, The Way of Managing and Improving of Land. […], London: […] J[ohn] H[umphreys] for H[enry] Mortlock […], and J[onathan] Robinson […], →OCLC:
glosses: To cut slips from; to cut; to take off; to make a slip or slips of.
examples: text: A horse slips his bridle; a dog slips his collar.
glosses: To cause to slip or slide off, or out of place.
glosses: To bring forth (young) prematurely; to slink.
examples: text: We have been consistently slipping the product release schedules.
ref: 2005, Raj Karamchedu, It's Not About the Technology:
text: If you are going to slip the schedule, make it a big slip and make it early in your endgame effort so that your stakeholders can respond and adjust around you.
ref: 2013, Robert Galen, Software Endgames:
text: As for trains, the contract was due to be awarded last year, but Rayner confirms that this has slipped and will now be awarded next year.
ref: 2020 July 1, Chris Rayner tells Richard Clinnick, “High Speed 2 is speeding up …”, in Rail, page 65:
topics: business
glosses: To cause (a schedule or release, etc.) to go, or let it go, beyond the allotted deadline.