slip up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slip up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to mean an unintentional mistake or blunder. For example, "I'm sorry I forgot to call you earlier, I must have had a slip up".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

What if we slip up?

The New Yorker

"They will slip up eventually.

Independent

What you have to do is slip up on him".

The New York Times - Arts

However, they did slip up now and then.

The New Yorker

Even our heroes can slip up at times.

Independent

"Sometimes you slip up; sometimes you take a chance.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

"It was a slip-up.

The New York Times

It's just a slip-up".

The New York Times - Sports

Even without that slip-up, the CSS appears weak.

The Economist

Listen to the slip-up below Warning: contains strong language.

Independent

It characterized the Merton Center incident as a slip-up.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slip up" to describe minor, unintentional errors, especially in situations where perfection is expected or desired. For example, "I can't afford to slip up during this presentation".

Common error

While "slip up" is widely understood, avoid using it in highly formal or professional writing where a more precise or sophisticated term like "err", "make an error", or "commit an oversight" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "slip up" functions primarily as an intransitive verb, indicating the action of making a mistake. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage, with many examples showing it in various contexts. It often describes unintentional errors or minor blunders as illustrated in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Wiki

22%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "slip up" is a common and generally accepted way to describe making a minor, unintentional mistake. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used, especially in news and media contexts. While appropriate for most informal and neutral situations, it's advisable to opt for more formal alternatives like "make a mistake" or "err" in professional or academic writing. Remember to consider the context and audience when choosing the most suitable phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make a mistake

Focuses on the act of making an error, without necessarily implying it's minor or unintentional.

make an error

Similar to "make a mistake" but slightly more formal.

err

A more formal and general term for making an error.

drop the ball

An idiomatic expression implying a failure to fulfill a responsibility or task.

goof up

An informal way to say someone made a mistake.

blunder

Suggests a significant or clumsy mistake.

commit an oversight

Implies a mistake made due to failing to notice something important.

stumble

Suggests a temporary loss of balance or a minor error.

flub

An informal term for making a mistake, often in performance or delivery.

fumble

Suggests a clumsy or awkward mistake.

FAQs

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

You can use "slip up" to describe a minor, unintentional mistake. For example, "I hope I don't slip up during my presentation", or "Even the most experienced professionals can slip up sometimes".

What's a more formal alternative to "slip up"?

For more formal situations, consider using "make a mistake", "err", or "commit an oversight". These options are suitable for professional or academic writing.

Is "slip up" appropriate for all types of writing?

While widely understood, "slip up" is generally best suited for informal or neutral contexts. In highly formal writing, consider using alternatives that convey a more precise or serious tone.

What does it mean when someone says "I can't afford to slip up"?

This phrase means that the person cannot make any mistakes because the consequences of doing so would be significant. It implies a situation where accuracy and precision are crucial.