slip up: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal
Quick answer
What does “slip up” mean?
To make a careless mistake, error, or oversight.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To make a careless mistake, error, or oversight.
Can refer to a momentary lapse in judgment, concentration, or performance; often implies a failure due to inattention rather than ignorance or inability. In some contexts, can mean to inadvertently reveal information.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar in both varieties, though the noun form 'slip-up' may be slightly more common in British English.
Connotations
Neutral to slightly negative. It's often used in contexts where the speaker is being understanding or forgiving of a minor mistake.
Frequency
Common in everyday spoken English in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “slip up” in a Sentence
[Subject] slip up[Subject] slip up on/over [something]It's easy to slip upVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “slip up” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The goalkeeper slipped up in the final minutes, letting in an easy goal.
- Mind you don't slip up on the licensing details for the software.
American English
- The prosecution slipped up by failing to enter the key evidence.
- I always slip up and call her by her sister's name.
adverb
British English
- Not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not commonly used as an adjective. Use the noun form 'slip-up' attributively: 'It was a slip-up moment for the presenter.' (rare)
American English
- Same as British. The adjectival use is very rare and informal.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe administrative errors, missed deadlines, or minor failures in process: 'We slipped up on the client's billing cycle.'
Academic
Less common. Might describe a methodological error or oversight in reasoning.
Everyday
Very common for minor domestic, social, or work mistakes: 'I slipped up and added salt instead of sugar.'
Technical
Rare.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “slip up”
- Using 'slip up' for major, intentional failures (incorrect).
- Using it in very formal writing (register mismatch).
- Incorrectly stressing 'up' as the main word (stress is relatively even or slightly on 'slip').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal. In formal writing, use alternatives like 'make an error', 'err', or 'miscalculate'.
'Slip up' often implies the mistake was due to a momentary lapse in attention or carelessness, while 'make a mistake' is more general and neutral.
Yes, the noun form is 'a slip-up' (with a hyphen). Example: 'That typo in the report was an embarrassing slip-up.'
Yes, it is a common valency pattern. Example: 'He slipped up on the date and arrived a day early.'
To make a careless mistake, error, or oversight.
Slip up: in British English it is pronounced /ˌslɪp ˈʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌslɪp ˈʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Everyone is allowed the occasional slip-up.”
- “Don't worry, it's just a slip of the tongue (specific type of verbal slip-up).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of your foot slipping on a step (a 'slip'), causing you to stumble ('up' your progress). A 'slip up' is a mental stumble.
Conceptual Metaphor
MISTAKES ARE LOSSES OF PHYSICAL TRACTION/FOOTING (slipping, stumbling, tripping).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'slip up' LEAST appropriate?