slips up once

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slips up once" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone makes a mistake or error, typically in a casual or informal context. Example: "Even the best players can slip up once in a while, leading to unexpected outcomes in the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Everyone slips up once in a while.

WikiHow

If your friend slips up once, this may just be a situation of not handling things properly and they might seek your forgiveness.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Don't worry if you slip up once or twice.

The Washington Post

But people slip up once in a while, he added, and for those lapses, Truvada might be a safety net.

The New York Times - Health

Rollins has no problem with that in theory, and he's only really slipped up once in front of the troops, in Kyrgyzstan, so far as he recalls.

The New York Times

If you slip up once, a little bit, the game doesn't go your way, you can't get down on yourself and change everything".

The New York Times - Sports

He didn't slip up once either – "I did it twice", although, he insists "I was just thinking you can't say that".

The Guardian

If you want to win the tournament, you can maybe slip up once".

BBC

We slip up once now and that's the championship gone," he said.

BBC

"In a competition as high-class as an Olympic Games, you cannot afford to slip up once.

BBC

They have only played two warm-up games, they have had some poor weather to contend with, and in a three-match series you only have to slip up once and you are in real trouble; there is no coming back from it.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slips up once", ensure the context clarifies that it is a singular, isolated incident and not a pattern of behavior. For example, "Even the most careful person slips up once in a while".

Common error

Avoid using "slips up once" in formal writing, such as academic papers or business reports. Opt for more professional alternatives like "makes a mistake" or "commits an error" to maintain a serious and credible tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slips up once" functions as a verb phrase indicating a singular occurrence of making a mistake. Ludwig confirms its usability, and examples show it in contexts ranging from personal conduct to competitive scenarios.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slips up once" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes making a single mistake or error. As Ludwig confirms, it's most commonly found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral to informal register. While it's perfectly acceptable, remember to consider your audience and purpose, opting for more formal alternatives like "makes a mistake" in professional settings. Use it to provide context, acknowledge error, or prevent discouragement as Ludwig's AI details.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

makes a single mistake

Focuses on the action of making an error, replacing the phrasal verb 'slip up' with a more direct expression.

errs one time

Replaces "slips up" with "errs" and "once" with "one time", offering a slightly more formal tone.

commits one error

Similar to "makes a single mistake" but uses "commits" and "error" for a slightly different nuance.

falters momentarily

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the mistake, suggesting a brief lapse in performance.

has a lapse in judgment one time

Focuses on the mental aspect of the mistake, implying a temporary failure in decision-making.

stumbles one time

Uses "stumbles" to convey a lack of coordination or a minor mistake, replacing the more general "slips up".

blunders once

Emphasizes the clumsiness or lack of skill in the mistake, suggesting a more significant error.

goofs up once

Uses "goofs up", which has a more informal tone.

makes a boo-boo once

Expresses the idea with a childish connotation

drops the ball once

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate failure.

FAQs

What does "slips up once" mean?

"Slips up once" means to make a single mistake or error. It suggests a temporary lapse in judgment or performance.

How to use "slips up once" in a sentence?

You can use "slips up once" to describe someone making a mistake in a specific instance. For example, "Even the best players "slips up once" in a while".

What can I say instead of "slips up once"?

You can use alternatives like "makes a single mistake", "errs one time", or "commits one error" depending on the context.

Is it acceptable to say "slips up once" in professional writing?

While grammatically correct, "slips up once" is generally more appropriate for informal contexts. In professional writing, consider using more formal alternatives like "makes a mistake" or "commits an error".