give sb the slip

The expression give sb the slip is one of the idioms that often finds a place in our literature and enriches our language. However, its meaning is not fully understood, so it is sometimes used in the wrong situations. Please review the explanation carefully for the correct use of the give sb the slip idiom.

Meaning of "give sb the slip"

Meaning

The idiomatic phrase ‘give someone the slip’ has the literal meaning of to slip away or escape someone. It is commonly used to explain that someone manages to escape the attention of someone else, managing to avoid capture or surveillance, or to leave a place suddenly, without being seen.

Etymology

The phrase is thought to have come from the phrase ‘get the slip on’, which was used in the 1500’s to mean to gain an advantage over someone else. This phrase is thought to be derived from the phrase ‘slip the cable’, which is a nautical phrase for to get a ship untied from the dock and to drift away. The phrase ‘give someone the slip’ first appeared in the early 1800’s and has since been popularized and adopted by writers, poets, and everyday speakers.

Usage

The phrase ‘give someone the slip’ is used to talk about escaping or avoiding someone or something, usually in a manner that is undetected. It is often used when someone has evaded capture or surveillance and when someone has managed to get away without being noticed. It is also sometimes used in a less literal sense, to mean to get away with something or to escape a difficult situation without being caught.

Example Sentences

• The spy managed to give his followers the slip and escape the area undetected.
• The thief gave the security guards the slip and disappeared into the night.
• He was able to give the police the slip and make it home safely.
• I'm glad I was able to give my creditors the slip and escape their attention.

The power of idioms transcends languages!

"Putting the cart before the horse" is an English idiom that means doing things in the wrong order. In Russian, the similar idiom is "Кладёт колесо впереди лошади," which translates to "Putting the cart before the horse." This idiom emphasizes the idea that doing things in the wrong order can lead to confusion and problems down the line.