slippery path

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slippery path" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe a literal path that is wet, icy, or covered in some other slippery substance, making it difficult to walk on without slipping. It can also be used figuratively to describe a situation or decision that is risky or potentially dangerous. Example 1 (literal usage): As I made my way down the slippery path, I held on to the railing tightly to avoid falling. Example 2 (figurative usage): Choosing that career path was a slippery one, but I managed to navigate it successfully with hard work and determination.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Now they were trekking on a slippery path hugging a cliff.

The Washington Post

Along this slippery path, much of the original importance of tolerance has been distorted or lost.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is not van Hensbergen's territory, but a reading of his book took me down this slippery path.

The Guardian - Books

On the wet, slippery path, Valentine was reading a text on his phone from Dustin Pedroia, the Red Sox second baseman, and riding his bicycle.

The New York Times - Sports

The base dropped all pretense of moderation or even modernity and followed Santorum down a slippery path that led to a political abyss of social regression.

The New York Times

But he isn't complacent and the lure of drugs and slippery path that leads to homelessness is not without its grip on him.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

When the sea was low, its mysterious depths were uncovered: ponds of dark water, streams cascading between the stones, slippery paths, and hills of living seaweed.

The New Yorker

Two or three middle‐aged women carrying string shopping bags and tin milk cans trudge up slippery paths to shop for the noon meal.

The New York Times

But during the occupation it was a hub of activity: banners were strung from branches reading: "This park belongs to us all!" and "Save the trees!" – and a steady stream of visitors came trundling down the park's slippery paths and through the snow, bringing food and supplies to the occupiers.

The Guardian

But one has also to consider such microcosmic problems as poisonous snakes, being alone in the forest on slippery paths, or the occurrence of landslides next to the station.

Science Magazine

A herder in his fifties in Damchena said: "During migration, men manage the pack horses and go after them because it is risky along the steep, narrow and slippery paths … Women and children will just follow from behind with packed lunch and hot tea in the flask … They could reach as late as 3 pm at the camp because everything will be ready for them by the time they reach there…" (Herder_36).

Pastoralism

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In figurative writing, clarify what the 'path' leads to (e.g. "a slippery path to social regression") to provide stronger imagery for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "slippery path" when you specifically mean the logical fallacy where one small step leads to a chain of negative events. While similar, "slippery slope" is a more established idiom for that specific rhetorical device, whereas "slippery path" is broader and more descriptive of the immediate danger.

Linguistic Context

Grammatically, "slippery path" is a noun phrase consisting of the adjective 'slippery' and the noun 'path'. It usually functions as the direct object of a verb or the object of a preposition. Ludwig AI highlights that it is frequently found in sentences describing movement through difficult terrain or as a metaphor for moral or professional decline.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slippery path" is a robust and grammatically correct English expression that bridges the gap between literal description and metaphorical warning. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its prevalence in prestigious media, where it often describes physical hazards caused by weather or, more abstractly, the dangerous beginning of ethical or political compromises. While it shares semantic territory with the idiom "slippery slope", it remains a more versatile choice for general descriptions of risk and instability. Writers should feel confident using it to evoke a sense of caution in both creative and professional contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slippery slope

Refers specifically to a course of action that seems to lead inevitably from one action or result to others with unintended consequences

dangerous path

The most direct synonym, removing the specific nuance of being "slippery" while retaining the core meaning of hazard

treacherous route

Heightens the sense of danger or betrayal, suggesting the path is actively deceptive or hazardous

perilous course

A more formal alternative emphasizing severe danger and risk during a journey or plan

precarious road

Emphasizes instability and the likelihood of falling or failing at any moment

hazardous way

Shifts focus to the general safety risks involved, often used in more clinical or technical contexts

risky trajectory

Often used in business or science to describe a path of development that carries potential for failure

unstable footing

Focuses on the person's physical or metaphorical stability rather than the path itself

slick walkway

Restricts the meaning to a purely literal, physical surface that lacks traction

unreliable track

Suggests the path cannot be trusted to lead to the intended destination safely

FAQs

What can I say instead of "slippery path" in a figurative context?

You can use phrases like "perilous course", "risky trajectory", or "dangerous road" to convey a similar sense of impending hazard.

Is it correct to use "slippery path" for icy weather conditions?

Yes, it is perfectly correct. As noted in Ludwig AI examples from The New York Times, the phrase is frequently used to describe physical walkways made dangerous by ice, rain, or mud.

What is the difference between a "slippery path" and a "slippery slope"?

A "slippery path" describes the hazardous nature of the journey itself, whereas a ""slippery slope"" usually implies a process where once you start, you cannot stop until you reach the bottom.

Which is more formal: "slippery path" or "treacherous route"?

"treacherous route" often sounds more literary or formal, while "slippery path" is neutral and common in both news reports and everyday descriptions.