Slips: meaning, definitions and examples

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slips

[slɪps ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

wearable

A type of footwear that is easily put on and taken off, typically made of a thin rubber sole and a fabric upper.

Synonyms

flip-flops, sandals, slides.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
slips	Light indoor shoes, usually soft and comfortable, not meant for outdoor use. She wore her slips around the house to keep her feet warm
sandals	Open-toed shoes with straps that can be worn in a variety of casual settings, both indoors and outdoors. She chose to wear sandals because they were comfortable and it was a hot day
flip-flops	Light, casual footwear usually worn in warm weather or at the beach; they have a thong that goes between the first and second toe. He always wears flip-flops when he goes to the beach
slides	Casual slip-on footwear with a single wide strap going over the foot; can be worn outdoors and are often sporty. He quickly put on his slides to run an errand at the store

Examples of usage

She wore a pair of comfortable slips to the beach.
He slipped on his favorite pair of slips before heading out.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

mistake

An error or mistake, especially one made unintentionally.

Synonyms

blunder, error, mistake.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
slips	Use 'slips' to describe small, often unintentional mistakes that occur due to minor lapses in focus or concentration. These are typically not severe and are easily corrected. She made a few slips while typing the document, but they were quickly fixed He apologized for the slips in his speech
mistake	A 'mistake' is a general term for any incorrect or wrong action, decision, or judgment. It is the most versatile and can be used in a wide range of contexts, from everyday situations to more serious incidents. Forgetting her friend's birthday was a mistake she regretted He made a mistake in his math homework but quickly corrected it
error	An 'error' refers to a mistake or incorrect action often used in formal or technical contexts. It can involve calculations, processes, or any action where accuracy is vital. There was a critical error in the financial report that needed immediate attention The software error caused the program to crash
blunder	A 'blunder' is used to describe a significant mistake, often due to carelessness, lack of judgment, or misunderstanding. It usually implies a larger consequence and can be seen as embarrassing or foolish. The CEO's decision to invest in the failing company was a massive blunder He made a blunder by sending the email to the wrong person

Examples of usage

She made a slip in her presentation and quickly corrected herself.
He slipped up and revealed the surprise party plans.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

slide

To slide or lose one's footing unexpectedly, typically resulting in a sudden movement.

Synonyms

glide, skid, slide.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
slips	This word is often used when someone unintentionally loses their balance or footing on a surface, usually due to it being slippery or slick. She slips on the icy sidewalk and falls. He slips on the wet floor in the kitchen.
slide	This word is used when someone or something moves smoothly along a surface, often intentionally or as part of an activity. The children love to slide down the playground slide. She slides the book across the table to him.
skid	This word often describes an uncontrolled sliding movement, typically of a vehicle, which can be dangerous. The car skids on the wet road. He skids his bike around the corner.
glide	This word is used when someone or something moves smoothly and effortlessly, usually implying gracefulness or ease. The swan glides across the lake. She glides gracefully on the ice during her performance.

Examples of usage

She slipped on the wet floor and fell.
He slipped while climbing the steep hill.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'slip' comes from the Old English word 'slypan,' which means 'to slide or fall.'
In the 14th century, it began to be used broadly, including the idea of losing hold or control over something.
The term has evolved in language to include both physical slips and metaphorical ones, like making mistakes.

Psychology

Slips can be linked to 'slips of the tongue,' where people accidentally say the wrong word, revealing what they really think.
Research shows that most accidental slips stem from cognitive overload, where the brain struggles to manage many tasks at once.
Humans often laugh at slips because they highlight our imperfections, showing a shared understanding of the struggle in communication.

Safety

Slips are one of the most common causes of workplace injuries, leading to millions of accidents each year.
Wet floors, uneven surfaces, and obstacles are primary causes of slips, emphasizing the importance of safety protocols.
Every year, safety campaigns educate people on how to reduce the risk of slips, including using proper footwear and cleaning spills promptly.

Pop Culture

Slips are often depicted comically in movies and cartoons, where characters hilariously fall or lose balance.
In famous films, characters slipping can be a pivotal moment that leads to humorous situations or even dramatic plot twists.
Cartoon characters like Tom from 'Tom and Jerry' frequently encounter humorous slips, emphasizing how common and silly they can be.

Education

In learning environments, slips in writing can teach students about proofreading and the importance of reviewing their work.
Teachers often encourage students to learn from their slips, fostering a growth mindset where mistakes are seen as opportunities to improve.
Educational psychology uses the study of slips to better understand cognitive processes and how people can be taught to avoid errors.

Translations

Translations of the word "slips" in other languages:

🇵🇹 escorregões

deslizes
erros

🇮🇳 फिसलन

चूक
गलती

🇩🇪 Ausrutscher

Fehler
Rutschpartien

🇮🇩 tergelincir

kesalahan
kekeliruan

🇺🇦 помилки

🇵🇱 poślizgnięcia

błędy
pomyłki

🇯🇵 すべり

ミス
誤り

🇫🇷 glissements

erreurs
fautes

🇪🇸 deslizamientos

errores
fallos

🇹🇷 kaymalar

hatalar
yanlışlıklar

🇰🇷 미끄러짐

실수
오류

🇸🇦 انزلاقات

أخطاء
زلات

🇨🇿 uklouznutí

chyby
omyly

🇸🇰 pošmyknutia

chyby
omyly

🇨🇳 滑倒

失误
错误

🇸🇮 spodrsljaji

napake
zdrsi

🇮🇸 rennsli

mistök
villur

🇰🇿 сүріну

қателіктер
жаңылысулар

🇬🇪 წამოწეულობები

შეცდომები
გადაცდომები

🇦🇿 sürüşmələr

səhvlər
yanlışlıqlar

🇲🇽 deslizamientos

errores
fallos

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,561 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

...
9558 dictate
9559 vault
9560 pelvic
9561 slips
9562 flushed
9563 attaching
9564 unloading
...