1 [no obj] : to slide out of the proper position
▪ The ring was too big and slipped off my finger. ▪ The engine's belt continued to slip. ▪ The hammer slipped out of my hands. ▪ The knife slipped and she cut herself. ▪ My foot slipped on the stair and I fell. 2 [no obj] : to lose your balance especially on a slippery surface
▪ She slipped and fell. — often + on ▪ He slipped on the stairs. ▪ Be careful not to slip on the ice. 3 always followed by an adverb or preposition : to move easily across or over something [no obj] ▪ The drawer should just slip [=slide] into place. ▪ The bib slips over the baby's head. [+ obj] ▪ Help me slip the cover over the piano. 4 always followed by an adverb or preposition [no obj] : to move into or out of a place without being noticed
▪ Someone was able to slip through security. ▪ We'll slip out the back door. — see also slip away (below) 5 always followed by an adverb or preposition [no obj] : to put on or take off a piece of clothing quickly or easily
▪ He stood up and slipped on his jacket. ▪ He slipped off his shoes. ▪ Let me just slip into my bathrobe. ▪ You should slip out of those wet clothes. 6 [+ obj] a always followed by an adverb or preposition : to put or place (something) somewhere in a quiet or secret way
▪ He slipped the key into his pocket. ▪ Someone slipped a drug into his drink. ▪ He managed to slip in [=include] a few jokes during his speech.
b : to give (something) to someone in a quiet or secret way
▪ He slipped the envelope to his secretary. = He slipped his secretary the envelope. 7 always followed by an adverb or preposition [no obj] : to happen or pass without being noticed by someone or something
▪ Time keeps slipping away. ▪ Her birthday slipped by without us knowing. ▪ Despite all our efforts, some errors do slip past us. ▪ We didn't want to let the opportunity slip through our fingers. [=we did not want to let the opportunity pass without taking advantage of it] 8 [no obj] a : to go from one state or condition to another
▪ She was slipping out of consciousness. — often + into ▪ The patient slipped into a coma. ▪ The word has slipped into disuse. ▪ The actor slipped into character. [=the actor began to behave, speak, etc., like the character he was playing]
b : to move into a lower or worse state or condition
▪ The stock market has slipped to its lowest level in a month. ▪ I can't believe he beat me. I must be slipping. ▪ Test scores slipped [=declined] this year. 9 [+ obj] a : to escape (someone) : to get away from (someone)
▪ The thief slipped his pursuers.
b : to get free from (something)
▪ The dog slipped its collar. 10 [+ obj] medical : to have (a part of your body) move out of its normal position especially in a joint
▪ I slipped a disc.