Give the slip

Meaning

The idiom "give the slip" means to escape or avoid someone or something, usually in a way that is difficult to catch up with. It can also mean to ignore or evade a problem or situation. For example:

• John gave the slip and managed to sneak out of the party without being caught by his parents.
• Sarah gave the slip to her boss during the performance review and avoided any serious criticism.
• The company's profits slipped in the last quarter, despite their best efforts to improve sales.

Usage

The usage of "give the slip" can vary depending on the context. It is commonly used in everyday conversation and can be found in many different types of text, including casual speech, formal language, and even literary works. Example sentences:

• John slipped away from the group and gave the slip to his parents by sneaking out the back door.
• Sarah managed to give the slip to her boss during the performance review by avoiding any serious criticism.
• The company's profits slipped in the last quarter, despite their best efforts to improve sales and avoid giving the slip.
• John gave the slip and managed to escape the traffic jam on his way to work.
• Sarah gave the slip to her exams and didn't study enough, resulting in a poor grade.

Roots and History

The exact origins of "give the slip" are unclear, but it is thought to have originated from the maritime industry. In sailing, a slip refers to a narrow opening or gap that can be difficult to navigate through. To give someone the slip means to avoid or escape from them in such a way that they cannot catch up with you. Over time, "give the slip" has evolved to mean more than just escaping from something or someone. It can also refer to ignoring or evading a problem or situation, as seen in the example sentences above.

Synonyms in English

• Slip away
• Escape
• Evade
• Skedaddle
• Slip past

Synonyms in other languages

• (French) "Faire passer le fil" - This phrase means to avoid or ignore someone, usually by not responding to their messages or attempts to contact you.
• (Spanish) "Huir" - This verb means to escape from something or someone, usually in a way that is difficult to catch up with.
• (German) "Entkommen" - This phrase means to escape from danger or difficult situations, often by finding a way out of a tricky predicament.
• (Italian) "Sfuggire" - This verb means to escape from something or someone, usually in a way that is difficult to catch up with.
• (Arabic) "تدمّر" - This phrase means to slip away from something or someone, often by avoiding contact or leaving before anyone notices.

Similar Idioms

• cut somebody some slack

• get the wrong end of the stick

• go round in circles