slipped a notch

USAGE SUMMARY

"slipped a notch" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a decrease in something, either physical or figurative. For example: "My confidence slipped a notch after I made that mistake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Each of the previous weekend's top films slipped a notch.

The New York Times

After such a short period, their mother's faultless English has slipped a notch or two.

The Guardian - Opinion

And while I never ate at Caspita during Mr. Tice's tenure, it seems clear that the cooking has slipped a notch in his absence.

The New York Times

While the restaurant has slipped a notch from its earlier two-star level, it still has a certain appeal as a theater-district dining option.

The New York Times - Arts

After a little good news on jobs on Friday — new figures showed the jobless rate slipped a notch in July — the Dow bolted higher.

The New York Times

Last week's top four movies all slipped a notch at the weekend box office as "The Day the Earth Stood Still," a remake of the 1951 alien morality tale, made its debut in the top spot.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Main courses nearly always slip a notch.

The New York Times - Food

He might also slip a notch in the draft, but because so many teams passed on Minnesota's Randy Moss two years ago because of character issues, this time around clubs may be less inclined to mix church and state when they draft someone of Warrick's caliber.

The New York Times - Sports

Or one could slip a notch or two in favor of the likes of Pittsburgh wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, a sophomore who still has to successfully petition the league to enter the draft, or Iowa offensive tackle Robert Gallery, which would leave the Giants having to decide whether to use their first pick on a quarterback of the future.

The New York Times - Sports

"Lady Gaga tops our power list not just because of her $90 million in earnings, but also because of her 32 million Facebook fans and 10 million Twitter followers, who helped move 1 million copies of her hit single, Born This Way, in just five days," Forbes said in a statement.Despite slipping a notch on the list, Winfrey is still keeping her head above some rarefied celebrity company.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Marketing question for mutual fund companies: How do they handle a high-end customer who slips a notch down on the asset scale?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slipped a notch" when you want to describe a minor decline in rank, status, or performance. For example, "The team's ranking slipped a notch after their loss."

Common error

While "slipped a notch" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language like "declined slightly" or "decreased marginally" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slipped a notch" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe a minor decrease in rank, status, quality or position. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, providing numerous examples of its usage across various reliable sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slipped a notch" is a common and correct phrase used to describe a slight decline in rank, status, or quality. Ludwig AI confirms its validity with various examples from reputable sources, predominantly in the News & Media category. While grammatically sound and widely understood, it's important to consider the context and opt for more formal alternatives like "declined slightly" or "decreased marginally" in academic or business writing. The phrase's versatility makes it a useful addition to your vocabulary, but strategic usage ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

declined slightly

Implies a modest decrease, similar to "slipped a notch", but focuses on the action of declining.

fell slightly

Suggests a mild drop, synonymous with "slipped a notch" in many contexts.

decreased a little

Indicates a small reduction, comparable to "slipped a notch" but emphasizes the amount of decrease.

dropped a bit

Expresses a small decrease, similar to "slipped a notch" but is more informal.

lost some ground

Indicates a loss of progress or position, akin to "slipped a notch" especially in competitive contexts.

lost a step

Suggests a decline in performance or ability, like "slipped a notch" when referring to skills or capabilities.

took a downturn

Suggests a negative turn or decline, similar to "slipped a notch" but implies a more general shift.

diminished somewhat

Indicates a partial reduction in size, importance, or quality, similar to "slipped a notch" but more formal.

regressed a step

Implies a backward movement, similar to "slipped a notch" when referring to progress or ranking.

eased off slightly

Indicates a reduction in intensity or pressure, similar to "slipped a notch" in contexts of effort or performance.

FAQs

How can I use "slipped a notch" in a sentence?

You can use "slipped a notch" to indicate a slight decline in rank, status, or performance. For example, "After the new regulations, the company’s rating "slipped a notch"."

What's a more formal alternative to "slipped a notch"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "declined slightly" or "decreased marginally" instead of "slipped a notch".

Is it correct to say "slipped down a notch"?

While "slipped a notch" is more concise and common, "slipped down a notch" is also grammatically correct and conveys the same meaning. The choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

What does it mean when something has "slipped a notch"?

It means that something has experienced a slight decrease in its position, quality, or status. It implies a minor setback rather than a significant drop.