slip sideways

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'slip sideways' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone figuratively slipping or moving away from an expected path or line of thought. For example, "The conversation quickly started to slip sideways as we began discussing controversial topics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

GT3's cars convincingly emulate real conditions, and will slip sideways on a fast, badly considered turn.

The New York Times

Moreover, it allows the system to slip sideways, if some lateral force is applied.

EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems

The wheels are able to slip sideways and thus do not introduce nonholonomic velocity constraints in the system.

Robotics and Biomimetics

"I believe that the economy's going to continue to slip sideways".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Mr. Gunn "was trying to hold the beam, and he slipped sideways," Mr. Nazario said.

The New York Times

On impact, her helmet slipped sideways across her face, leaving her in temporary darkness.

The New York Times - Sports

That sometimes happened when the type bar struck the guide and slipped sideways at impact, indicating a slight misalignment.

The New Yorker

Ferdinand's run beyond the forward would have forced the Lyon midfielder to confront him, allowing a simple slipped sideways pass to liberate Hargreaves.

The Guardian - Sport

The film also genuflects to Bergman by using Max Von Sydow, resembling, as usual, a Lutheran pastor who slipped sideways into drama, in the part of Anderton's boss.

The New Yorker

But 10 gates and about 150 yards from the finish line, Vonn's left ski slipped sideways as she rounded a gate, which spun her around and sent her hurtling backward.

The New York Times - Sports

A stability control adds sensors to determine if the car is slipping sideways or doing anything inconsistent with the driver's intentions, as determined by steering and braking sensors.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slip sideways" to describe a subtle or unintentional movement away from a straight path or expected course, whether literal or figurative.

Common error

Avoid using "slip sideways" when you mean "slide sideways" or "skid sideways", as these terms imply different types of movement and control. "Slip" suggests a lack of friction or control, while "slide" implies a smoother movement and "skid" suggests an abrupt loss of traction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slip sideways" functions as a verb phrase where "slip" is the verb indicating a sliding movement with reduced friction or control, and "sideways" is an adverb specifying the direction of the movement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Wiki

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slip sideways" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe either a literal or figurative movement in a lateral direction. It's usage, as verified by Ludwig AI, spans across contexts like describing a car losing control or a conversation veering off-topic. Although it is deemed as rare, it's seen in both news and scientific contexts and the user should take care not to confuse this phrase with alternatives like "slide sideways", or "skid sideways".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slide laterally

Replaces "slip" with "slide" maintaining the direction.

shift laterally

Highlights a change in position to the side.

move sideways

More literal and less nuanced than "slip sideways".

skid sideways

Emphasizes a loss of control while moving laterally.

fall to the side

Focuses on the action of falling in a sideways direction.

veer off course

Implies a deviation from an intended path, adding a sense of unintentional movement.

swerve sideways

Implies a sudden and sharp movement to the side.

deviate to the side

A more formal and explicit way of describing lateral deviation.

gradually decline

Focuses on the deterioration aspect, suitable for abstract contexts like economies.

go askew

Suggests something is going wrong or becoming distorted.

FAQs

How can I use "slip sideways" in a sentence?

You can use "slip sideways" to describe a physical movement, such as "The car began to slip sideways on the icy road", or a more abstract shift, like "The conversation began to slip sideways when politics came up".

What does "slip sideways" mean in the context of driving?

In driving, "slip sideways" typically describes a vehicle losing traction and moving laterally, often unintentionally. This is often associated with "skidding" or "sliding".

Is there a difference between "slide sideways" and "slip sideways"?

While both describe lateral movement, "slide sideways" implies a smoother, more controlled movement, whereas "slip sideways" suggests a loss of control or traction. Think of sliding on ice versus slipping on a banana peel.

What are some alternatives to "slip sideways" when describing a gradual decline?

When referring to a gradual decline or shift, consider alternatives like "gradually decline", "deteriorate", or "shift laterally", depending on the specific context.