slip away
SLIP uh-WAY
/slɪp əˈweɪ/
To leave quietly or secretly; to pass quickly (of time); to lose an opportunity.
Suggests a smooth, almost unnoticeable movement or loss.
The story behind the word. The word 'slip' comes from Middle Low German 'slippen', meaning to glide. Adding 'away' creates the image of something gliding out of reach or sight.
Word relationships
- sneak out: Sneak out implies more guilt or a desire to avoid being caught.
- elapse: Elapse is a formal word used specifically for time.
- arrive: Arriving is the opposite of leaving.
- seize: To seize an opportunity is the opposite of letting it slip away.
Commonly confused with
- pass away: Pass away is a euphemism for dying; slip away can also mean dying peacefully, but is broader.
Collocations
- slip away unnoticed
- let an opportunity slip away
- time is slipping away
Example sentences
- "The party was getting too loud, so we decided to slip away without saying goodbye." Leaving a party early.
- "I watched the summer slip away, realizing I hadn't finished any of my goals." The passage of time.
Memory hook
Imagine a wet bar of soap 'slipping away' from your hands—it's hard to catch. Slip away like soap.
When not to use
Not used for literal slipping on ice; that is just 'slip'.
Fun facts
- In literature, 'slipping away' is a common way to describe a character dying peacefully in their sleep.
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