slipped up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slipped up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate making a mistake or error, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "I really slipped up during the presentation and forgot to mention the key points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"You slipped up tonight.

The Guardian - Sport

Even larger operations have slipped up.

The New York Times

Banks that have slipped up have often become takeover targets.

The Economist

"The boys slipped up," said Lisa Ganier, a Sun spokeswoman.

The New York Times

Actually, Barack Obama slipped up this past week.

The New York Times

But with the finishing line in sight, Henman slipped up.

The Guardian - Sport

If somebody slipped up, she said, they were denounced.

The Guardian

If Barclays has slipped up, it's a question of competence.

The Guardian - Business

But one time I slipped up: I fell asleep.

The New York Times

But early in their association he slipped up.

The New York Times - Arts

It's O.K. that you slipped up, but please be more careful going forward.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slipped up" when you want to convey a sense of casualness or understatement about a mistake. It's suitable for informal conversations and writing.

Common error

Avoid using "slipped up" in highly formal or professional documents. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "made an error" or "miscalculated" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slipped up" functions as an intransitive verb in the past tense, indicating that someone or something made a mistake or error. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms that it's used to express the occurrence of an unintentional fault.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slipped up" is a commonly used, informal phrase to describe making a mistake or error. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness and frequent use across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Sports. While versatile, it's best to avoid using "slipped up" in highly formal or professional settings. Consider more precise alternatives like "made an error" or "miscalculated" for enhanced clarity and professionalism. Remember to use "slipped up" when you want to convey a sense of casualness or understatement about a mistake.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Made an error

More formal and direct, focusing on the action of making a mistake.

Made a mistake

A common and neutral alternative, similar in meaning but slightly less colloquial.

Blundered

Implies a significant or embarrassing mistake.

Messed up

More informal and often implies a more significant error with negative consequences.

Erred

A formal term for making a mistake, often used in legal or official contexts.

Flubbed it

Informal, suggesting a clumsy or awkward mistake.

Dropped the ball

Idiomatic, meaning to fail to fulfill a responsibility or make a mistake.

Miscalculated

Suggests an error in judgment or planning.

Goofed up

Informal, implying a silly or minor mistake.

Stumbled

Implies a minor error or hesitation, often in performance or speech.

FAQs

How to use "slipped up" in a sentence?

You can use "slipped up" to describe making a mistake, for example: "I slipped up during the presentation" or "The team slipped up in the final quarter".

What can I say instead of "slipped up"?

You can use alternatives like "made a mistake", "messed up", or "erred" depending on the context and formality.

Is "slipped up" formal or informal?

"Slipped up" is generally considered an informal expression. For more formal situations, consider using phrases like "made an error" or "miscalculated".

What's the difference between "slipped up" and "made a mistake"?

"Slipped up" is more colloquial and suggests a minor or unintentional error. "Made a mistake" is a more general and neutral way to describe an error, suitable for both formal and informal contexts.