slip my mind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slip my mind" is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
It is used when you cannot remember something or when something has been forgotten. For example: "I'm sorry, I completely forgot to call you - it slipped my mind!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A month later, he was more concerned: "I've been blowing stuff off and then having it slip my mind.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Just slips my mind.

The New York Times

Completely slipped my mind.

The Guardian - Film

"It must have slipped my mind.

The New Yorker

It is something that slipped my mind".

The New Yorker

Alexander: Yes, well it must have slipped my mind.

The Guardian

"Guess it slipped my mind," he told me, contentedly.

The New Yorker

They weighed down my suitcase, but declaring them slipped my mind.

The New Yorker

"I have no idea how it could have slipped my mind," he said.

The New Yorker

"I feel terrible about it; it just slipped my mind," I lied.

The New York Times - Tech

But then they point out something that often slips my mind: my travel experiences are those of a man, as well.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slip my mind" to casually admit forgetting something without assigning blame. It softens the impact of the oversight.

Common error

While "slip my mind" is common, it can sound too casual in formal settings. Opt for phrases like "I failed to recall" or "I regretfully overlooked" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slip my mind" functions as an idiomatic expression to convey that something has been forgotten. It is a polite way to admit that one has failed to remember a detail, appointment, or task. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slip my mind" is a common and idiomatic way to express forgetfulness. As Ludwig AI states, it's a valid and usable phrase in written English. It is particularly prevalent in news and media sources, offering a neutral tone for admitting unintentional oversights. While grammatically correct and widely understood, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "I failed to recall" in professional or high-stakes communications. Overusing "slip my mind" can diminish its impact and might appear dismissive in serious situations. Always consider the context and audience when choosing to use this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

escape my memory

Focuses on the information leaving one's memory, emphasizing the loss of recall.

be forgotten

A more general term for not being remembered, lacking the nuance of sudden forgetfulness.

fade from memory

Implies a gradual process of forgetting, suggesting the memory became weaker over time.

not recall

A more formal way to express not remembering something, suitable for professional contexts.

fail to remember

Similar to "not recall" but slightly less formal, indicating a lack of remembrance.

go blank

Describes a sudden inability to remember something, often due to stress or surprise.

be remiss in remembering

Highlights a sense of negligence or fault in forgetting something.

lose track of

Suggests a lack of awareness or monitoring, leading to forgetfulness.

draw a blank

Indicates a temporary inability to recall something, creating a pause in conversation.

be unable to recollect

A formal way of saying you cannot bring something back to your mind, emphasizing difficulty in retrieving the memory.

FAQs

How can I use "slip my mind" in a sentence?

You can use "slip my mind" to explain why you forgot something. For example: "I meant to call you, but it completely "slipped my mind"."

What's a more formal alternative to "slip my mind"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "I failed to recall", "I regretfully overlooked", or "It escaped my attention" instead of "slip my mind".

Is it appropriate to use "slip my mind" in professional emails?

While generally acceptable, consider your audience. For internal communications, it may be fine. For external or high-stakes emails, a more formal expression like "I neglected to remember" might be preferable to "slip my mind".

Can "slip my mind" be used to excuse a serious mistake?

While useful for minor oversights, using "slip my mind" for significant errors may appear dismissive. Acknowledge the mistake directly and offer a sincere apology instead.