Time slipped away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Time slipped away" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation where time seems to pass quickly or unnoticed, often in a reflective or nostalgic context. For example, "As we reminisced about our childhood, I realized that time slipped away." Alternative expressions include "Time flew by," "Time passed quickly," and "Time vanished."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Time slipped away, now more plausible.

The Guardian - Sport

Time slipped away, and every moment seemed one I wasn't entitled to.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Time slipped away from Barcelona as they launched yet another attack.

The Guardian - Sport

Time slipped away, hearts raced and one last cross was played in, once more into the fray.

The Guardian - Sport

Time slipped away, until Hat Girl #2 flicked a dressing room curtain, gave me permission to enter, and quickly left me alone with the dresses.

Huffington Post

Time slipped away quickly in the bustle of the new school year, and the pressure of these five applications left me melting to the ground like the Wicked Witch of the West after Dorothy was done with her.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Time slips away angularly.

The Guardian - Music

"Time slips away from you," she said.

The New York Times

Relish every day, or let time slip away?

The New York Times

Quoting a poem on the subject of the sands of time slipping away, she says, "Shakespeare.

The New Yorker

Our environmental problems loom menacingly as time slips away for humans and animals.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "time slipped away" to convey a sense of nostalgia or to emphasize how quickly a period passed, especially when reflecting on past events. It's most effective when the passing of time was either unnoticed or now seems shorter in retrospect.

Common error

Avoid using "time slipped away" when you mean to describe how someone actively wasted time or let an opportunity pass. Instead, consider phrases like "wasted time" or "missed the opportunity".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time slipped away" functions as an intransitive verb phrase, where "time" is the subject and "slipped away" is the verb. It describes the action of time passing, often with a sense of being unnoticed or lost. As Ludwig AI indicates, it follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

25%

Lifestyle

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "time slipped away" is a grammatically correct and evocative way to describe the swift passage of time, often with a hint of nostalgia or regret. Ludwig AI confirms this. Although relatively rare, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts, as well as in sport and lifestyle writing. It functions as an intransitive verb phrase, emphasizing time's passage. Alternative phrases like "time flew by" or ""time passed unnoticed"" can be used to convey similar meanings, but "time slipped away" offers a unique blend of wistfulness and acceptance of time's relentless flow.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time passed unnoticed

Focuses on the lack of awareness during the time's passage.

time flew by

Emphasizes the quick passage of time.

time elapsed quickly

Highlights the rapid progression of time.

moments vanished

Stresses the disappearance of specific moments.

time dissipated

Suggests that time faded away gradually.

the hours melted away

Uses a metaphor to describe the smooth and unnoticeable passage of time.

time dissolved

Indicates time disappeared completely.

time faded into memory

Highlights time transitioning into recollection.

time ebbed away

Suggests a gradual decline or recession of time.

the days drifted by

Emphasizes the passive and directionless passage of time.

FAQs

What does "time slipped away" mean?

The phrase "time slipped away" means that time passed quickly and often unnoticed. It's commonly used to reflect on a period that now seems shorter than it felt at the time.

How can I use "time slipped away" in a sentence?

You can use "time slipped away" to describe a period where you were unaware of how quickly time was passing. For example, "As we reminisced about our travels, I realized that "time passed unnoticed"."

What can I say instead of "time slipped away"?

You can use alternatives like "time flew by", "time elapsed quickly", or "moments vanished" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "time slipped away" formal or informal?

The phrase "time slipped away" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it leans slightly towards being more common in narrative or reflective writing.