slip-up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slip-up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a minor mistake or error, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "I made a slip-up in my calculations, which led to the wrong conclusion in my report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact 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

(In fact, their last slip-up was during Euro 76).

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

What if we slip up?

The New Yorker

"They will slip up eventually.

Independent

Notice the slip up?

The Guardian

We all slip up.

The New York Times - Food

But they, too, better not slip up.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slip-up" to describe a minor, unintentional error, especially in informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "slip-up" in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more professional terms like "error", "mistake", or "oversight" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slip-up" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a mistake or error. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a common usage, supported by various examples where it denotes a minor misstep or unintentional fault.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "slip-up" is a commonly used noun to describe a minor mistake or error. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English, particularly in informal contexts. While acceptable in various settings, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "error" or "mistake" in professional or academic writing. Remember to consider the formality of your writing and the severity of the error when choosing your words.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor error

Specifies the mistake is not serious.

error

A general term for a mistake; lacks the implication of being minor or unintentional.

mistake

Similar to "error", but suggests a lapse in judgment or understanding.

blunder

Implies a more significant and often embarrassing mistake.

misstep

Implies a deviation from a correct course of action.

gaffe

Refers to a social or political mistake, often causing embarrassment.

lapse

Suggests a temporary failure of judgment or memory.

oversight

An unintentional failure to notice or do something.

faux pas

A social blunder or breach of etiquette.

inadvertence

An unintentional mistake or error.

FAQs

How to use "slip-up" in a sentence?

You can use "slip-up" to describe a minor mistake or error, as in "I hope my boss will forgive this "accidental slip-up"".

What can I say instead of "slip-up"?

You can use alternatives like "mistake", "error", or "oversight" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "slip-up" or "slip up"?

"Slip-up" is generally used as a noun, while "slip up" is used as a verb. For example, "That was a major "slip-up"" (noun) versus "You can't afford to "slip up"" (verb).

What's the difference between a "slip-up" and a "blunder"?

A ""slip-up"" is a minor, often unintentional mistake, while a "blunder" implies a more significant and embarrassing error.