slip of hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slip of hand" is not correct in standard English; the correct expression is "slip of the hand." You can use it to refer to a small mistake or error made due to carelessness or lack of attention, often in a physical action.
Example: "He made a slip of the hand while cutting the vegetables, resulting in a small injury."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Watson said that "corporations are expendable, and that success — at best — is an achievement that can always slip out of hand".

The New York Times

A slip-of-the-hand and woosh, the story, not ready for publication, was shooting across the wires.

TechCrunch

A miscalculation or slip of the hand at any stage would ruin the image.

The New Yorker

This is even more evident in brain surgery, where a simple slip of the hand can cause permanent brain damage.

The Guardian

The professional kitchen, he says, can be a place of fired-up emotion where fury bubbles over at the slightest slip of the hand.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

3. Cut out your design carefully: it is worth taking your time as a slip of the hand means you might have to start again.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"But it was a bit nerve-wracking, one slip of the hand and you could remove a fragment of gold leaf or pigment by mistake".

BBC

These aren't particularly secure, one slip of your hand and off comes the rope.

WikiHow

BE CAREFUL - this is dangerous as a slip of the hand can cause the screwdriver to slip.

WikiHow

Make sure never throw a match into an unlit fire, a little slip of the hand could be all it takes to start a forest fire.

WikiHow

The H.I.V. test results came on a slip of paper handed to her by a young woman at a clinic in Brooklyn.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing actions in formal writing use "slip of the hand" to describe that the origin of the involuntary action was a physical component instead of the mental one. For example: 'The broken vase was the result of a slip of the hand.'

Common error

Be cautious of using the grammatically incorrect phrase "slip of hand". The correct form is "slip of the hand". Always double-check your writing to avoid this common error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slip of hand" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase, "slip of the hand", functions as a noun phrase that describes a minor, unintended error, typically in a physical action. Ludwig AI highlights the importance of the article "the" for grammatical accuracy.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The query "slip of hand" is, according to Ludwig AI, grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "slip of the hand". This noun phrase describes a minor, unintended error, particularly in a physical action. While the phrase appears across various contexts, including news and media, it's crucial to use the grammatically correct version for clarity and precision in both writing and speech. Related phrases offer alternative ways to express similar errors, emphasizing different aspects of the mistake, such as a "lapse of attention" or a "careless mistake".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lapse of attention

This alternative focuses on the mental aspect of the error, highlighting a temporary failure to concentrate.

momentary error

This alternative emphasizes the brief duration of the mistake.

careless mistake

This alternative underscores the lack of due diligence or caution in making the error.

slight miscalculation

This is used where the mistake involves numbers or estimations.

minor blunder

This alternative suggests a mistake that is small in consequence but still noticeable.

inadvertent error

This alternative indicates the mistake was unintentional and not planned.

unintentional mistake

This suggests that the error was not deliberate.

fleeting oversight

This alternative highlights that the mistake was due to a brief failure to notice something important.

small error

This is a simplified and direct way to refer to a minor mistake.

trivial mistake

This alternative downplays the significance of the error, portraying it as unimportant.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "slip of hand"?

The correct expression is "slip of the hand". The article 'the' is required for grammatical accuracy.

How can I use "slip of the hand" in a sentence?

You can use "slip of the hand" to describe a small, unintended mistake made while doing something. For example: "The accident was due to a slip of the hand."

What's a similar phrase to "slip of the hand"?

Alternatives include "lapse of attention" or "careless mistake", though they might slightly alter the nuance.

Is "slip of hand" ever acceptable?

No, "slip of hand" is not considered acceptable in standard English. Always use "slip of the hand" to maintain grammatical correctness.