slip in form

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slip in form" is not standard and may cause confusion in written English.
It could be used in contexts discussing subtle changes or additions to a document or presentation format. Example: "I noticed you managed to slip in form changes that improved the overall clarity of the report."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

And, as rallies lengthen and semi-finals and finals of big tournaments stretch with increasing regularity towards five and six hours, the strains of the game show in their occasional breakdowns, tantrums even, and the inevitable slip in form and fitness.

The Guardian - Sport

There is no better way to establish legitimacy in such an anarchic business than beating the best and, since the slight slip in form by Manny Pacquaio (whatever the injustice of his recent defeat by Tim Bradley, Mayweatherr, incarcerated in Vegas on domestic violence charges, is still the No1 fighter in the world.

The Guardian - Sport

Hamilton has said he hopes he can win races for Mercedes next season, despite their slip in form in the second half of this year.

BBC

Westley has pointed to the loss of Laird and right-back Keith Keane, who suffered a serious knee injury in the same game, as a reason for Preston's slip in form over the past six weeks.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

This suggests that the large coseismic slip area, which is thought to correspond to the mainshock asperity, can no longer slip in the form of aftershocks due to the large amount of the stress release during the mainshock rupture.

Earth, Planets and Space

He remains in with a chance of ending the year as the world number one but slipped behind the in-form Rafael Nadal to third in the rankings on Monday.

BBC

Figure 13 shows the slip ratio results in form of a double logarithmic chart.

ROBOMECH Journal

For reasons of simplification, the surface vertical deformations due to slips in Figure 3 and sub-slips in Figure 6 were assumed to form linearly within the initial 60 s of the tsunami simulation.

Earth, Planets and Space

Inverness boss Terry Butcher was disappointed his side let their recent form slip in the 1-0 loss to Aberdeen.

BBC

If you landed from Mars, or perhaps even from Europe, and were not well-versed in the American political system you would have thought by the headlines on Sunday that, though Obama had slipped last Tuesday, he was back in form having whipped Hillary.

Huffington Post

Slip-in Shin Guards.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical writing, consider using more precise terms like "deviation from specification" or "error in format" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "slip in form" when you mean a physical slip. "Slip in form" refers to a decline in quality or performance, not a literal fall or slide. Use "slip and fall" or "lose your footing" for the latter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slip in form" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a decline or degradation in the manner something is done or presented. Ludwig shows this often relates to performance in sports or the quality of a document's format. It suggests something was once better, but has deteriorated.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slip in form" is an acceptable, though not overly common, way to describe a decline in performance or a degradation in the manner something is presented. As shown in Ludwig, it often relates to skills-based performance, especially in sports, or to document formatting, suggesting an area that was previously better. Ludwig AI highlights the non-standard nature of the phrase, cautioning potential confusion. When choosing between "slip in form" and its alternatives, consider the desired level of formality and the specific context to ensure clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decline in performance

Focuses specifically on the negative change in ability, removing the element of subtlety or unexpectedness.

drop in standard

Emphasizes a reduction in quality or level of achievement, omitting the idea of inadvertent occurrence.

deterioration of condition

Highlights the worsening state or quality, lacking the original phrase's implication of a specific structure or format.

lapse in quality

Underlines a temporary failure to maintain a certain level of excellence, missing the form-related implication.

regression in skill

Indicates a return to a less developed state of ability, excluding the possible context of document formatting.

insert into format

Focuses on the action of adding something to a specific layout, differing from the sense of a decline or error.

introduce subtly

Highlights the action of quietly adding something, lacking the dimension of formatting or performance.

work its way in

Suggests a gradual or indirect entry, shifting the focus from a pre-planned formatting aspect.

inadvertently add

Emphasizes the unintentional introduction, missing the performance aspect.

place by accident

Highlights the unintentional positioning, without any connection to performance or degradation.

FAQs

What does "slip in form" mean?

"Slip in form" generally refers to a decline in performance or a subtle change in the way something is presented, like a document's format or an athlete's technique. It suggests a negative change from a previous, better state.

When is it appropriate to use "slip in form"?

It's appropriate when describing a noticeable decline or subtle change in a skill, performance, or the appearance of something. For instance, you might say a tennis player's "form" has "declined in performance", or that errors "slip in" during a presentation if the formatting isn't checked carefully.

Are there more formal alternatives to "slip in form"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "deterioration of condition", "regression in skill", or "deviation from specification". The best choice depends on the context. For example, in a business report, "deviation from specification" might be more appropriate than "slip in form".

How can I correct a "slip in form" in my writing?

To correct a "slip in form" in writing, carefully proofread your work, paying attention to grammar, spelling, and style. Use editing tools and seek feedback from others to identify areas where your writing has "declined in performance" or contains errors that "inadvertently add" mistakes.