slipped past

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slipped past" is a correct and commonly used in written English.
It means something or someone went by or unnoticed without being noticed or stopped. It can be used in various contexts and is often used to describe a situation where something was missed or overlooked. Example: Despite setting multiple alarms, she still overslept and the deadline for her paper slipped past her.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The students slipped past some floating trash.

The New York Times

Manziel coolly slipped past defenders, as if he were skiing.

The New York Times - Sports

He slipped past that knock, recalling his war record.

The New York Times

Five armed men somehow slipped past guards, broke into the hangar and flew the plane away.

The New York Times

Like Crosby's shot that slipped past Miller on Sunday, it was one that got away.

The New York Times - Sports

He then slipped past cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, who was knocked over by a chasing Coleman.

The New York Times - Sports

Nevertheless, Einstein slipped past the immigration authorities in 1930, and he did it again last October.

The New Yorker

Other, better films slipped past unrewarded, as often happens at film festivals.

The Economist

Slovenia slipped past heavily favored Russia on an away-goal tie breaker.

The New York Times

Eslinger, the third-year coach, thought it had slipped past 300, too.

The New York Times - Sports

But after the Blues slipped past Benfica on Wednesday, there's no denying it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a narrow escape or a subtle advancement, "slipped past" adds a nuanced touch, suggesting ease and perhaps a bit of luck. Use it to convey a sense of quiet movement or inconspicuous progress.

Common error

Avoid using "slipped past" to describe something that is inherently stationary. This phrase implies movement or a dynamic process. For example, it would be incorrect to say "The statue slipped past the building" because statues do not move on their own.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slipped past" functions as a verb phrase, often acting as the predicate of a clause. It typically describes how a subject moved beyond or avoided something, either literally or figuratively, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Sports

22%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Huffington Post

8%

The New Yorker

5%

Forbes

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slipped past" is a versatile verb phrase indicating a subtle or unnoticed movement beyond something. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Sports. The analysis shows that "slipped past" effectively conveys a sense of effortless movement or an oversight. Related phrases include "got by", "eluded", and "evaded", each offering slightly different nuances. When using "slipped past", ensure the context involves movement and avoid applying it to static entities. By understanding its grammatical function, communicative purpose, and common errors, you can effectively incorporate "slipped past" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evaded

Similar to "eluded", this indicates successfully avoiding something, often with skill or strategy.

eluded

This term suggests a more deliberate act of avoiding capture or detection.

bypassed

This alternative emphasizes going around something rather than directly through or past it.

got by

This alternative is a more general term indicating that someone managed to pass or evade something.

went undetected

Similar to "passed unnoticed", this focuses on the lack of detection.

passed unnoticed

This phrase highlights that something was not observed or detected as it went by.

moved beyond

This phrase suggests progressing past a certain point or obstacle.

succeeded in passing

This indicates achieving success in getting past something, often implying difficulty.

transgressed

This implies overstepping or exceeding a boundary or limit.

breached

This term often refers to breaking through or violating a barrier or security.

FAQs

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

Use "slipped past" to describe something or someone moving by or beyond something else, often unnoticed or with ease. For example, "The deadline "slipped past" while I was on vacation."

What can I say instead of "slipped past"?

You can use alternatives like "got by", "eluded", or "evaded" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "slipped through" instead of "slipped past"?

While both imply movement, "slipped through" suggests passing through an opening or gap, whereas "slipped past" implies moving alongside or beyond something. The better choice depends on the specific image you want to convey.

What's the difference between "slipped past" and "went unnoticed"?

"Slipped past" implies movement and potential avoidance, while "went unnoticed" simply means something wasn't observed. You can say, "The error went unnoticed during the review process", but this doesn't necessarily imply that it moved or dodged something.