slip out the back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slip out the back" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a discreet or stealthy exit from a place or situation. Example: "When the party got too crowded, I decided to slip out the back to avoid the chaos."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

They like to look around on their own, then slip out the back door".

The New Yorker

He can slip out the back door and watch dolphins swim by his private dock.

The Washington Post

Why let Olympic drug offenders slip out the back, anonymously catching the first flight home?

The New York Times - Sports

Mladic was able to slip out the back door into the woods and return the next morning, but he left Mala Mostanica for good two days later.

The Guardian

Why didn't Mr Lyon didn't just slip out the back of the cinema with Miss Delaine without Mr Pike spotting them?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But then he may have to slip out the back door of the plane, hail a cab and double back to town.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Investigation Discovery celebrates the holiday with "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" (at 9), an hourlong anthology of true revenge stories that appropriates the title of a Paul Simon hit but reverses the genders: now it's women who are doing the leaving, and they're not quietly slipping out the back, as Mr. Simon suggested.

The New York Times - Arts

This is in order to ensure that those banned from leaving the country do not slip out by the back door of the unpoliced border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The Guardian

I slip out through the back door of the clinic, cut through the car park and cross to the far side of the road.

The Guardian

Slipping out through the back door, I felt as though I'd walked into in a different city.

The Guardian - Travel

He hugged the crêpe lady, and slipped out the back door of the church.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slip out the back" to describe a discreet or subtle departure, especially when avoiding attention is the primary goal. For example, "Realizing the conversation was going nowhere, she decided to "slip out the back" before things got awkward".

Common error

While "slip out the back" is widely understood, it can sound too informal or casual in professional writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "discreetly exit" or "depart quietly" in business reports or academic papers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slip out the back" functions primarily as a verb phrase, describing an action. It indicates a manner of leaving a place discreetly or stealthily. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English, denoting a way to exit unnoticed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slip out the back" is a common idiom used to describe a discreet or stealthy departure. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. While most frequently found in News & Media, it's best suited for informal contexts and less appropriate for formal or professional writing where alternatives like "discreetly exit" might be more fitting. It’s a useful phrase for conveying the idea of avoiding attention when leaving a place or situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sneak out the back

Emphasizes the stealthy nature of the departure.

slide out the back

Suggests a smooth and effortless escape.

quietly exit through the rear

Highlights the unobtrusive manner and direction of leaving.

discreetly leave via the back

Focuses on the secretive and private aspect of the exit.

secretly depart from the back

Stresses the hidden nature of the departure.

escape through the back

Simple and direct alternative, focusing on the act of escaping.

vanish out the back

Implies a sudden and mysterious disappearance.

steal away through the back

Suggests a quick and unnoticed escape.

make a quiet escape via the rear

Highlights the intention to avoid attention while leaving.

evade notice by exiting through the back

Emphasizes the avoidance of being seen or detected.

FAQs

What does it mean to "slip out the back"?

To "slip out the back" means to leave a place quietly and discreetly, often to avoid being noticed. It implies a subtle or stealthy departure.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "slip out the back"?

The phrase "slip out the back" is appropriate in informal contexts to describe a discreet departure. It is suitable for casual conversations and narratives where avoiding attention is key. However, avoid using it in more formal or professional settings.

What can I say instead of "slip out the back"?

You can use alternatives like "sneak out the back", "quietly exit through the rear", or "discreetly leave via the back" depending on the context.

Is "slip out the back" an idiom?

Yes, "slip out the back" is considered an idiom. It's a common expression that means to leave quietly or secretly, especially to avoid being seen or noticed.