backslide
C1Formal, especially in religious and moral contexts; used in everyday speech.
Definition
Meaning
to revert to a worse condition, behavior, or belief after a period of improvement
A lapse or regression in progress, especially in moral, religious, or behavioral standards.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Strongly implies a failure to maintain a previously achieved standard, often with a sense of moral failure or weakness.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. Slightly more common in religious discourse in the US.
Connotations
Commonly associated with religious backsliding in US evangelical contexts. In the UK, often used more broadly for any regression in behaviour.
Frequency
Low to medium frequency in both varieties; slightly higher in American English due to its use in religious communities.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
intransitive (He backslid.)intransitive + into (She backslid into her old habits.)intransitive + from (The country backslid from its democratic commitments.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “backslide into old ways”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe a company reverting to inefficient practices after reforms.
Academic
Used in sociology, psychology, or political science to describe regression in societal trends or individual behavior.
Everyday
Used for personal habits, like diet, exercise, or quitting smoking.
Technical
Less common; can be used in addiction recovery or behavioural therapy contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- After months of healthy eating, I'm worried I might backslide over the holidays.
- The government has backslid on its environmental pledges.
American English
- He backslid into his addiction after losing his job.
- We can't afford to backslide on civil rights.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- It's easy to backslide into bad habits.
- She promised herself she wouldn't backslide again.
- The patient showed strong progress but experienced a worrying backslide last week.
- Politicians often backslide on their campaign promises once elected.
- The treaty is designed to prevent any backsliding on agreed carbon reduction targets.
- His spiritual backsliding concerned the elders of the church.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a slide in a playground. You climb UP to improve, but then you 'slide BACK' down – you BACKSLIDE.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROGRESS IS A JOURNEY FORWARD / REGRESSION IS MOVING BACKWARDS.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить как 'отступать' в военном смысле (to retreat).
- Не путать с 'поскользнуться' (to slip).
- Ближе по смыслу к 'скатиться', 'откатиться назад' (в переносном смысле).
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a transitive verb (e.g., 'He backslid his progress' is incorrect).
- Confusing past tense 'backslid' with regular 'backslided'.
- Overusing in non-regression contexts.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a 'backslide'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While most common for personal behaviour, it can be used for governments, organisations, or economies that regress.
The correct past tense and past participle is 'backslid' (e.g., He backslid last year). 'Backslided' is non-standard.
Not necessarily. It often implies a weakness or failure of will, but the action itself may not be fully intentional.
Yes, 'backsliding' is the gerund/noun form (e.g., There has been some backsliding on the issue).