slip into poverty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slip into poverty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual or unintentional descent into a state of financial hardship. Example: "After losing his job, he began to slip into poverty, struggling to make ends meet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

When she gives up drug dealing, the couple slip into poverty, even though he has a steady job.

The New York Times - Books

A longtime employee of the city's Department of Homeless Services, Ms. Clinkscales, 45, already knew how easily a person could slip into poverty.

The New York Times

If they do slip into poverty, they now know they will also slip right off the radar of the man who promises to be a uniter, not a divider.

The New York Times

It centers on claims by the American groups that their members are being treated unfairly, with much of the money going to survivors abroad while as many as 30,000 Holocaust survivors in the United States slip into poverty.

The New York Times

When Lucius Malfoy was sent to jail over a year ago, the business world assumed he'd slip into poverty, obscurity and eventual madness.

Forbes

An international team that included Duke researcher Jeffrey R. Vincent, Clarence F. Korstian Professor of forest economics and management at the Nicholas School of the Environment, reports that a decline in rice production will mean more people will slip into poverty and hunger.

Duke University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The number of Germans slipping into poverty is the highest since unification.

University of California, Berkeley

Many refugees are running out of savings, slipping into poverty, sometimes into crime and prostitution.The count will be difficult.

The Economist

The risk of an east German slipping into poverty is about 25% higher than that of a west German.

The Guardian

Those in need of help can often pinpoint the moment they slipped into poverty, homelessness or despair.

The New York Times

The middle class is slipping into poverty," Mr. Ray said recently, understatedly discussing a vision based on "brotherhood and compassion, not condescension and pity".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slip into poverty" to describe a gradual or subtle decline in financial well-being, often due to unforeseen circumstances like job loss or illness.

Common error

Avoid using "slip into poverty" when describing a sudden or abrupt event that causes poverty. Use it to emphasize a process rather than a single incident.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slip into poverty" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a predicate in a sentence. It describes a process or action, signifying a gradual decline in financial stability. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slip into poverty" effectively conveys a gradual and often unintentional decline in financial stability. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is perfectly acceptable in written English. Its usage is common across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Academia, where it describes socio-economic trends and individual struggles. While grammatically correct and widely understood, it's important to consider the subtle implications of the phrase. Alternatives like "descend into poverty" or "fall into destitution" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

descend into poverty

Suggests a gradual decline into poverty, similar to "slip into poverty" but potentially more deliberate.

sink into impoverishment

Emphasizes the feeling of being trapped or overwhelmed by poverty.

fall into destitution

Implies a state of extreme poverty and hopelessness, which is stronger than "slip into poverty".

end up in poverty

Suggests that poverty is an eventual outcome, which can be stronger than "slip into poverty".

lapse into poverty

Implies a temporary state, as if one can lapse in and out of poverty.

find oneself in poverty

Highlights the unexpected or unintentional nature of becoming poor.

become impoverished

A more formal and direct way of saying "become poor".

enter a state of indigence

A formal way to describe entering a state of poverty and lacking basic necessities.

experience financial ruin

Focuses on the financial aspect of poverty and the suddenness of the decline.

be reduced to penury

A more archaic and dramatic way of saying "become extremely poor".

FAQs

How can I use "slip into poverty" in a sentence?

You can use "slip into poverty" to describe a gradual decline in financial stability, as in, "After the factory closed, many families in the town began to "slip into poverty".".

What's a more formal way to say "slip into poverty"?

More formal alternatives include "descend into poverty" or "become impoverished". These options are suitable for academic or professional writing.

Is it correct to say "slipped into poverty" or "slipped in poverty"?

"Slipped into poverty" is the correct phrasing. The preposition "into" indicates a transition or movement toward a state of poverty, whereas "slipped in poverty" doesn't convey a clear meaning.

What factors can cause someone to "slip into poverty"?

Various factors can cause someone to "slip into poverty", including job loss, unexpected medical expenses, lack of access to education, and systemic economic inequalities.