Slip Up – Meaning and Examples
Imagine you’re giving a presentation and you accidentally say the wrong date, or you make a simple calculation error on a test. When you make a small, careless mistake, you slip up. This phrasal verb is extremely common and is used to talk about minor errors, particularly those made while performing a task or speaking.
What Does “Slip Up” Mean?
The phrasal verb “slip up” means to make a slight or careless mistake; an error, usually minor, that results from momentary inattention or a lack of care. The related noun is a “slip-up.” It implies that the error was not intentional and often not too serious. Think of it like a momentary lapse in concentration, where your mind or tongue “slips.”
When to Use It
You can use slip up when discussing small errors in performance, speaking, or judgment.
- Speaking: The politician slipped up and used the wrong statistic during his speech.
- Performance: The factory worker slipped up and put the wrong label on the product.
- Behavior: If you don’t want to get caught, you must be careful not to slip up.
This phrase is informal and widely used.
Example Sentences
- During the live broadcast, the host apologized after he slipped up and mispronounced the name.
- You’re doing great in your diet, just try not to slip up this weekend.
- The accounting department made a small slip-up (noun) on the final invoice.
- Everyone makes mistakes; it’s okay if you slip up occasionally.
Mini Dialogue
Alex: “Did I just call you by the wrong name?”
Jamie: “Yes, but don’t worry about it! It’s an easy mistake to make. Anyone can slip up.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not use “slip up” for major failures or intentional bad behavior. It is reserved for minor errors.
❌ Don’t: “The company completely slipped up and lost all their money through fraud.” (This is incorrect. Use “failed” or “collapsed.”)
✅ Do: “He slipped up and forgot to attach the file to the email.” (This means he made a small, forgettable error.)
Practice Tip
Think of a small mistake you made this week. Write one sentence describing how you slipped up and what the result was.
Final Note
Using slip up is a casual and forgiving way to describe minor mistakes. Practice this phrase to talk about human error in a lighthearted way!
