slip further back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slip further back" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something moves backward in position, status, or progress. Example: "As the project deadline approached, our team felt the pressure and began to slip further back in our timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

They are nine points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur and could slip further back over the weekend as they are not in action.

The Guardian - Sport

7.39pm BST More European woe and Graeme McDowell has bogeyed his second hole in a row at 13 to slip further back to seven over.

The Guardian - Sport

And the visitors were fortunate not to slip further back as Jordan White rattled the crossbar with a second-half shot for the hosts.

BBC

Think fast because as Andrea Elliott says of children in shelters, "With each passing month, they slip further back in every category known to predict long-term well-being".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But Vaughn is taking it as a good sign that the Mets are not slipping further back.

The New York Times - Sports

Despite Contador's help, Rogers slipped further back and finished almost two minutes behind De Marchi to drop to sixth overall, with Spain's Daniel Moreno moving up to third.

BBC

McIlroy slipped further back at the fifth but recouped the stroke at the seventh and still led by one from Schwartzel, Cabrera, KJ Choi and Woods after the ninth.

BBC

There was an element of the latter quality as the second half wore on and Stubbs' defenders slipped further and further back, while only half-heartedly seeking counter-attacking opportunities.

BBC

Mr. Trump could easily slip further.

The New York Times

"Britain cannot afford to slip further behind".

The Guardian

Time Warner's stock slipped further.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slip further back" when you want to emphasize a gradual and often unwanted movement away from a desired position or state. It is especially effective in contexts where progress is expected but not sustained.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "slip further back" can sound slightly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "fall behind" in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slip further back" functions as a verb phrase, typically used within a clause to describe a process of regression or decline. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. The verb "slip" indicates a gradual movement, while "further back" specifies the direction and extent of this movement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slip further back" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes a process of gradual regression or decline. As noted by Ludwig AI, it effectively communicates concern or warning about a negative trend, appearing frequently in news and media contexts. While its register is generally neutral to formal, it's important to consider simpler alternatives like /s/falling+further+behind for more casual settings. Use "slip further back" to emphasize unwanted movement away from a desired position, remembering its slightly elevated tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall further behind

Emphasizes the action of lagging or being outpaced to a greater degree.

regress further

Focuses on the act of returning to a previous, less developed state, but to a greater extent.

decline further

Highlights a continued decrease in quality, quantity, or condition.

slide further down

Implies a gradual and uncontrolled descent or drop in position.

sink deeper

Suggests a movement into a more negative or undesirable situation.

deteriorate further

Indicates a worsening of a condition or situation.

wane further

Focuses on the decrease in power, influence, or extent.

drift further away

Suggests a gradual movement away from a desired state or goal.

recede further

Highlights a continued withdrawal or retreat.

relapse further

Implies a return to a previous, undesirable state or behavior with increased intensity.

FAQs

How can I use "slip further back" in a sentence?

You can use "slip further back" to describe a decline in position, status, or progress. For example, "If we don't innovate, we risk /s/falling+further+behind and /s/slipping+further+back relative to our competitors".

What does "slip further back" mean?

It means to regress or decline to a lower or less desirable state, position, or condition. It implies a movement in the wrong direction from a previous or expected point.

What are some synonyms for "slip further back"?

Alternatives include /s/falling+further+behind, /s/regressing+further, /s/declining+further, and /s/sliding+further+down. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "fall back" or "slip further back"?

"Fall back" implies a simple retreat or return to a previous position. "Slip further back" suggests an unwanted and gradual decline, indicating a more negative connotation. It's about intensity.