Let’s delve into the saying ‘give someone the slip’ together, understanding its meaning, origins, and real-life examples.
Meaning of the Idiom
The idiom ‘give someone the slip’ means to evade or escape from someone or something, especially by cunning or stealth. It involves successfully avoiding being caught or detected by someone who is pursuing or searching for you. When you give someone the slip, you manage to outsmart or outmaneuver them, typically by using clever tactics or quick movements to elude capture or detection.
Origin of the Idiom
The origin of the phrase ‘give someone the slip’ can be traced back to the late 16th century, where it likely emerged from the world of thieves and criminals. The word ‘slip’ in this context refers to a sudden movement or escape, often made by slipping away unnoticed or evading capture. Over time, the idiom became widely used in everyday language to describe the act of successfully avoiding someone or something, especially in situations where one is being pursued or followed.
10 Idiom Examples in Everyday Situations
1. “The suspect managed to give the police the slip by disappearing into the crowded city streets.”
2. “Despite being closely followed, the clever fox gave the hunting dogs the slip by doubling back and hiding in the bushes.”
3. “When the teacher turned her back, the mischievous student gave her the slip and snuck out of the classroom.”
4. “The cat gave its pursuer the slip by darting into a narrow alleyway and disappearing from sight.”
5. “The fugitive managed to give the authorities the slip by disguising himself and blending in with the crowd.”
6. “Despite the paparazzi’s best efforts, the celebrity couple gave them the slip and enjoyed a private evening out.”
7. “The clever magician gave his assistant the slip by performing a quick sleight of hand trick and making his escape.”
8. “The spy gave the enemy agents the slip by using a series of secret tunnels to evade capture.”
9. “Despite being closely watched, the pickpocket managed to give his pursuers the slip and disappear into the crowded marketplace.”
10. “The clever child gave her babysitter the slip by pretending to go to bed and then sneaking out the window.”
10 Quotes Featuring the Idiom
1. “The phrase ‘give someone the slip’ serves as a reminder that sometimes the greatest victories are the ones that come from outsmarting our opponents and using our wits to overcome challenges.” – Unknown
2. “When faced with adversity or pursuit, remember that the phrase ‘give someone the slip’ is a reassuring reminder that sometimes the greatest escapes are the ones that come from quick thinking and decisive action.” – Unknown
3. “In moments of pursuit or danger, remember that the phrase ‘give someone the slip’ is a hopeful reminder that sometimes the greatest victories are the ones that come from staying one step ahead of our adversaries.” – Unknown
4. “The phrase ‘give someone the slip’ serves as a reminder that sometimes the most powerful acts of defiance are the ones that come from refusing to be captured or contained, and it is in asserting our freedom that we find true liberation.” – Unknown
5. “When faced with pursuit or capture, remember that the phrase ‘give someone the slip’ is a reassuring reminder that sometimes the greatest escapes are the ones that come from using our ingenuity and resourcefulness to outwit our pursuers.” – Unknown
6. “In moments of danger or pursuit, remember that the phrase ‘give someone the slip’ is a hopeful reminder that sometimes the greatest victories are the ones that come from daring to defy the odds and make our own path to freedom.” – Unknown
7. “The phrase ‘give someone the slip’ serves as a reminder that sometimes the most powerful acts of escape are the ones that come from trusting in our instincts and seizing the moment to break free from confinement.” – Unknown
8. “When faced with pursuit or capture, remember that the phrase ‘give someone the slip’ is a reassuring reminder that sometimes the greatest victories are the ones that come from using our intelligence and cunning to outsmart our adversaries.” – Unknown
9. “In moments of danger or pursuit, remember that the phrase ‘give someone the slip’ is a hopeful reminder that sometimes the greatest escapes are the ones that come from using our creativity and resourcefulness to find a way out of seemingly impossible situations.” – Unknown
10. “The phrase ‘give someone the slip’ serves as a reminder that sometimes the most powerful acts of escape are the ones that come from refusing to be captured or contained, and it is in asserting our freedom that we find true liberation.” – Unknown
Idioms Starting From Letter G
Each and every letter of the English alphabet has hundreds of idioms. As in this post, we are talking about the idiom beginning with the letter G. There are many other idioms that also start with the ‘G’, which can be useful to you. We have gathered all the G-starting idiomatic expressions on a single page to make it easy for you to find the best and most useful idioms starting with the letter G.
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