slip further behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slip further behind" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to fall behind or lag even further. Example: Despite their best efforts, the team continued to slip further behind in the second half of the game, resulting in a devastating loss.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"Britain cannot afford to slip further behind".

The Guardian

Without economic and political reform, it will slip further behind.

The Economist

But it is equally possible that the worst-performing states will slip further behind.

The Economist

The draw means Hearts slip further behind the leaders, Celtic, after the champions' win against Kilmarnock.

The Guardian - Sport

They worry that the rapid pace of change in the technology industry will cause third-world nations like Ecuador to slip further behind Europe and North America.

The New York Times - Tech

Lord Heseltine and Lord Adonis have both visited the city, pressing the case for an elected mayor as the best way of ensuring the West Midlands does not slip further behind London.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Schwartzel bogeyed the penultimate hole and slipped further behind with a five at the last.

The Guardian - Sport

He has slipped further behind in the polls, and a national survey published on Sunday showing him trailing Clinton by eight points.

The Guardian

Strictly Come Dancing returned with a record launch audience of nearly 9 million viewers as Simon Cowell's The X Factor slipped further behind in the ratings.

The Guardian

Glory slipped further behind in the A-League title race after suffering a shock 2-1 loss to the lowly Jets at nib Stadium on Saturday night.

The Guardian - Sport

Since the last one, Wales has slipped further behind in the Pisa education league rankings.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slip further behind" to describe a situation where something or someone is losing ground relative to others, especially in a competitive context. For example, "If we don't innovate, we will slip further behind our competitors."

Common error

Avoid using "slip further behind" when referring to a static situation. It implies a dynamic process of losing ground, not simply being in a disadvantaged position. For example, instead of saying "The country slips further behind in terms of wealth", it would be more accurate to say "The country lags in terms of wealth" if there's no active process of decline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slip further behind" functions primarily as a verbal phrase, often used as part of a larger predicate. Ludwig examples show it describes a decline in status, performance, or position relative to others. It implies a continuous process of falling behind.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

21%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slip further behind" is a common and grammatically correct verbal phrase used to describe a continuous process of decline relative to others. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is generally considered correct and is frequently found in news and media, business, and wiki contexts. Examples from Ludwig show it's used to express concern or warn about deteriorating situations, motivating action to prevent further decline. When writing, remember that the phrase suggests a dynamic process of losing ground and isn't suitable for describing static disadvantaged positions. Alternatives include "fall further behind", "lose more ground", and "lag further behind", each with subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall further behind

Focuses on the act of decreasing one's relative position.

fall further back

Similar to "fall further behind" but emphasizes physical distance or position.

lose more ground

Emphasizes the loss of a previously held advantage.

lag further behind

Highlights the aspect of trailing or being slower than others.

drop further back

Suggests a movement downwards in rank or position.

trail further behind

Emphasizes the idea of following at a greater distance.

recede further

Implies a gradual withdrawal or decline.

decline even more

Focuses on the deteriorating state of something.

get left further behind

Highlights the risk of being abandoned or forgotten.

become more distanced

Focuses on the increasing gap or separation.

FAQs

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

You can use "slip further behind" to describe a situation where a person, team, or organization is losing ground relative to competitors or a previous standard. For example, "If we don't invest in education, our students will "slip further behind" their peers in other countries".

What's the difference between "slip further behind" and "fall behind"?

"Fall behind" indicates an initial loss of ground, while ""slip further behind"" suggests a continuation of that decline, implying an increasing gap or disadvantage.

What are some synonyms for "slip further behind"?

Synonyms for ""slip further behind"" include "fall further behind", "lose more ground", and "lag further behind". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "slip further behind" or "get left behind"?

"Slip further behind" implies a gradual decline in a measurable aspect, such as performance or ranking. "Get left behind" suggests a more abrupt or significant separation, often due to rapid changes or advancements that others are failing to keep up with.