it slips from memory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it slips from memory" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is forgotten or not recalled easily. Example: "I meant to call her, but it slips from memory when I'm busy with work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Due in part to preoccupation, it slipped from my memory and didn't return until my recent purchase of a MacBook Pro.

TechCrunch

Like a day in Leonard's life, it slips easily from memory, favoring sensation over insight and the frisson of artificial confusion over any contemplation of human reality.

The New York Times

The president's next move in the international arena ― his "recognition" of Jerusalem as the capital of the state of Israel ― hasn't yet slipped from memory, in part because of the outrage it evoked around the world.

Huffington Post

The Leahy Law was passed before the onset of the "war on terror", and it would appear that whatever lessons had been learned in Latin America are now slipping from memory.

The Guardian - Opinion

By contrast, the words of second inaugurals have largely slipped from memory.

The New York Times

The influence of black string bands on white country musicians slipped from memory.

The New York Times - Arts

One reason, Mr. Lowenfish writes, that "the full measure of Branch Rickey's life and accomplishments has largely slipped from memory" is that his experience in Brooklyn was sandwiched between stints elsewhere.

The New York Times

Rather than let moments slip from memory to the cold bits of the cloud, Jagoe set out to redesign the digital picture frame.

TechCrunch

Dumpster diving slipped from memory, replaced by a diet that's heavy on cheap Asian restaurants, takeaway coffees, and cheese on toast.

Vice

"They could see it slipping from them," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was there for the taking, and we let it slip from us," he said.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it slips from memory" to describe events, facts, or details that are not consciously recalled but may be retrievable with a prompt. For example, "The name of the restaurant it slips from memory, but I know it was near the park."

Common error

Avoid using "it slips from memory" when something is actively being sought in memory but cannot be found. Use phrases like "I can't recall" or "I'm trying to remember" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it slips from memory" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating that a piece of information or an event is becoming difficult to recall or has been forgotten. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it slips from memory" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that is gradually being forgotten. As Ludwig confirms, its usage is correct. While the phrase has a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal contexts, it is essential to understand its subtle differences from similar expressions like "it fades from memory". Remembering its appropriate usage, particularly avoiding confusion with active recall, ensures clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it fades from memory

Substitutes "slips" with "fades", emphasizing a gradual disappearance from memory.

it escapes my mind

Replaces "slips from memory" with a more personal expression of forgetting.

it is forgotten

A simple, direct way of saying something is no longer remembered.

it is lost to memory

Emphasizes the permanence of the forgetting.

it is consigned to oblivion

A more dramatic and formal way of saying something is completely forgotten.

it sinks into oblivion

Similar to "consigned to oblivion" but with a sense of gradual decline.

it becomes a distant memory

Highlights the temporal aspect of the memory fading over time.

it recedes into the past

Similar to "distant memory" but focuses on the movement away from the present.

it is erased from memory

Suggests a more forceful and complete removal of the memory.

it is expunged from memory

Similar to "erased from memory", but with a sense of deliberate removal.

FAQs

What does "it slips from memory" mean?

The phrase "it slips from memory" means that something is forgotten or not easily recalled. It suggests that the information was once known but has faded over time.

How can I use "it slips from memory" in a sentence?

You can use "it slips from memory" to describe details, events, or facts that you have difficulty remembering. For example, "The exact date it slips from memory, but it was sometime in the early 2000s."

Which is more appropriate, "it slips from memory" or "it fades from memory"?

Both "it slips from memory" and "it fades from memory" are acceptable. "Slips" suggests a more sudden forgetting, while "fades" implies a gradual loss of memory. The better choice depends on the specific context.

What are some alternative phrases to "it slips from memory"?

Some alternatives to "it slips from memory" include "it escapes my mind", "it is forgotten", or "it is lost to memory". These phrases offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.