it slides by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it slides by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that passes quickly or unnoticed, often referring to time or events. Example: "As the days turned into weeks, it slides by without me realizing how much time had passed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It slides by wide left, giving him a little teaser back up the slope which he confidently holes.

The Guardian - Sport

Updated at 3.39pm GMT 3.35pm GMT SAVE! USA 0-0 Finland, 6 20, 1st period Kane, skating to Rask, moves left, gets Rask down, but he can't lift the puck and the it slides by harmlessly.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In Asia, it slid by 2.7%, led by Japan's sharp fall of 4.2%.

The Economist

Mickelson hit his birdie putt just a tiny bit too hard and it slid by.

The New York Times

"I thought I had a chance, and unfortunately, it slid by".

The New York Times - Sports

It slid by more than 10% on the day of the launch.In many ways the new BlackBerrys are ingenious.

The Economist

However, she admitted she had "let it slide" by going four years between mammograms, and said: "Another year and I could have been in big trouble".

The Guardian

And a decent birdie chance for McIlroy on 13 from 12 feet, but he lets it slide by the right and settles for par.

The Guardian - Sport

The album's lead single, "Teenage Whore", was released in Europe on September 23, and entered the UK Indie Chart's Top 10 at number one on September 28 , 1991 beating out "Heaven Sent An Angel" by Revolver, "Let It Slide" by Mudhoney, and "Love to Hate You" by Erasure, among others.

Wikipedia

The user holds his or her newspaper loosely while it slides upward, line by line, at his or her normal reading pace.

The New York Times

We couldn't let it slide on by on the newsfeed".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it slides by" to describe something that happens quickly or almost imperceptibly, especially when referring to opportunities, time, or minor errors.

Common error

Avoid using "it slides by" when the event or object in question has a significant impact or requires serious attention. This phrase is best suited for inconsequential or easily overlooked situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it slides by" typically functions as a verb phrase, often used intransitively. It describes the action of something passing or progressing, frequently with an implication of ease or lack of friction. This aligns with Ludwig's examples, illustrating its use in contexts ranging from golf putts to general observations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it slides by" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's most often used in news and general writing to describe something passing quickly or almost unnoticed. While grammatically correct, its relatively low frequency suggests using it judiciously. When a more neutral or informal tone is appropriate, "it slides by" serves well, but for highly formal writing, alternatives like "it elapses" might be more suitable. Ludwig's analysis confirms its usability, albeit with attention to context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it slips past

Focuses on the ease and lack of friction with which something passes.

it goes by

A more general term for something passing in time or space.

it passes unnoticed

Emphasizes the lack of attention something receives as it goes by.

it fades away

Suggests a gradual disappearance or loss of importance over time.

it elapses

More formal term for time passing.

it breezes through

Implies ease and speed in passing.

it rolls on

Highlights the continuous and uninterrupted nature of something passing.

it ticks by

Specifically refers to the passing of time, often slowly or monotonously.

it skirts around

Indicates avoiding direct contact or confrontation.

it washes over

Suggests being overwhelmed or unaffected by something as it passes.

FAQs

How can I use "it slides by" in a sentence?

You can use "it slides by" to describe something that passes quickly or unnoticed. For example, "The deadline was so close that "it slides by" before I even realized it."

What does "it slides by" mean?

"It slides by" means something passes quickly, easily, or without being noticed.

What can I say instead of "it slides by"?

You can use alternatives like "it slips past", "it goes by", or "it passes unnoticed", depending on the context.

Is "it slides by" formal or informal?

"It slides by" is generally considered informal. More formal alternatives might include "it elapses" or "it passes without incident".