slip through

USAGE SUMMARY

"slip through" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that has escaped someone’s attention or has not been prevented when it should have been. For example: "The mistake slipped through the editor's review, and was not caught until it was published."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It can all slip through your fingers".

The New York Times

Things can slip through the cracks.

The New York Times

But bad ones do slip through.

The New York Times - Tech

But sometimes things slip through the net.

Independent

Still, veterans routinely slip through the cracks.

The New York Times

Someone will always slip through.

The New York Times

Things slip through the cracks.

The Guardian - Film

But far more drugs slip through undetected.

The New York Times

Patients will slip through these gaps.

The Guardian - Opinion

Of course some slip through the net.

The Guardian

How did you slip through customs unnoticed?

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slip through" to describe situations where something bypasses controls, oversight, or expectations. For instance, "The error slipped through despite multiple reviews."

Common error

Avoid using "slip through" when you mean something was intentionally allowed to pass. This phrase implies an accidental or unintentional occurrence, not a deliberate act.

Linguistic Context

"Slip through" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating an action of evading or bypassing something, often unintentionally. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples where the phrase denotes an escape from detection or control.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slip through" is a common and versatile phrasal verb used to describe instances where something evades detection, prevention, or control. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media contexts. When using "slip through", ensure you're conveying an unintentional bypass rather than a deliberate action. Remember, related phrases like ""evade detection"" or ""fall through the cracks"" can provide nuanced alternatives depending on the situation. Ludwig AI analysis reveals that while its usage is frequent across numerous sources, understanding its implications is key to conveying the right meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall through the cracks

Indicates a failure in a system or process, leading to something being missed.

go unnoticed

Emphasizes the lack of attention something receives.

escape notice

Highlights the fact that something was not observed or registered.

pass through undetected

Highlights the lack of detection during passage.

evade detection

Focuses on avoiding being noticed or discovered.

go unexamined

Focuses on the lack of scrutiny or inspection.

skirt past

Implies a narrow or skillful avoidance.

get past security

Specifically refers to overcoming security measures.

wriggle free

Suggests a struggle to escape a difficult situation or confinement.

barely succeed

Emphasizes minimal success, often by a very small margin.

FAQs

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

You can use "slip through" to describe something that avoids being caught, noticed, or prevented. For example, "Despite the new security measures, some contraband still manages to "slip through"".

What's a synonym for "slip through"?

Alternatives to "slip through" include "evade detection", "escape notice", or "fall through the cracks", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "slipped through the cracks"?

Yes, "slipped through the cracks" is a common and correct variation of ""slip through"". It emphasizes that something was missed due to failures within a system or process.

What is the difference between "slip through" and "go unnoticed"?

"Slip through" often implies that something should have been caught or prevented, while "go unnoticed" simply means that something wasn't observed or recognized, without necessarily implying a failure in a system.