it has slipped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has slipped" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has been forgotten, overlooked, or lost track of, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "I meant to send you that report yesterday, but it has slipped my mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The government now needs oil to be above $110 a barrel to balance its books; it has slipped below $100.

The Economist

Four years after cross-country was a main event at the Lillehammer Olympics, it has slipped back to its more customary spot in the shadows in Nagano.

The New York Times - Sports

Sure enough, it has slipped 35% from its June high.

Forbes

Compare its sales in August with last year and it has slipped by just over 4%.

The Guardian

It has slipped from 1.6m viewers on its opening night on November 12 to just 0.7m this week, according to unofficial overnights.

The Guardian

Though it has slipped to fourth place in its home market, the second largest in Asia, Daewoo still sells $5 billion worth of vehicles a year.

The New York Times

Though the company's stock has doubled during the past year to its peak of $73.15 in April, it has slipped back, closing at $62.05 on Monday.

Forbes

But compared with its neighbours and the rest of the world it has slipped.

BBC

True, it has slipped a little against the euro, but its trade-weighted index, covering all its trading partners, has hardly moved at all.

Forbes

And its market share in March slipped to 49.5percentthethe first time it has slipped below 50percentt in six months.

The New York Times

Today it has slipped to 37percentt.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it has slipped", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to. This avoids ambiguity and maintains clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "it has slipped" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "it has declined" or "it has diminished" to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has slipped" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a decline, decrease, or a lapse in memory or status. It describes a change from a previous state, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it has slipped" is a common and generally accepted way to describe a decline, decrease, or something forgotten. Ludwig highlights its frequent use in news and media, indicating a neutral to slightly informal register. For more formal or professional contexts, alternatives such as "it has declined" or "it has diminished" are recommended to maintain a higher level of formality. Remember to ensure clarity by specifying what "it" refers to in the sentence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has fallen

Directly indicates a drop in position, level, or standard.

it has dropped

Similar to "fallen" but can also imply something was intentionally released or let go.

it has declined

Indicates a decrease in quantity, quality, or importance.

it has deteriorated

Implies a worsening condition or quality over time.

it has diminished

Suggests a reduction in size, extent, or significance.

it has waned

Indicates a decrease in power, vigor, or extent, often gradual.

it has faded

Suggests a loss of brightness, color, or intensity, often used metaphorically.

it has regressed

Implies a return to a less developed state.

it has relapsed

Suggests a return to a previous, typically undesirable condition after a period of improvement.

it has degraded

Implies a reduction in worth, value, or moral standing.

FAQs

What does "it has slipped" mean?

The phrase "it has slipped" generally means that something has decreased, declined, or been forgotten. It can refer to a physical drop or a metaphorical decline in quality, status, or memory.

What can I say instead of "it has slipped"?

You can use alternatives like "it has declined", "it has diminished", or "it has fallen" depending on the specific context.

Is "it has slipped" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "it has slipped" might be considered too informal for certain formal contexts. In academic or professional writing, consider using alternatives such as "it has decreased" or "it has deteriorated".

How do I use "it has slipped" in a sentence?

You can use "it has slipped" to describe a decline or decrease. For example, "The company's market share has slipped in recent months" or "My mind is not as sharp as it was, sometimes things just "slip my mind"".