target has slipped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "target has slipped" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where a goal or objective has become less attainable or has moved away from its original position. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the target has slipped, and we need to reassess our strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Business

Technology

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But Moyes has gone from rubbing his hands at having the sort of leeway in the transfer market that he was forever denied at Goodison Park, where he had to scrimp and save to keep Everton competitive, to cutting an increasingly frustrated figure as target after target has slipped by.

The Guardian - Sport

Reaching a balanced budget in structural terms, adjusted for the effects of the economic downturn and one-off measures, was an aim of Prime Minister Enrico Letta but the target has slipped slowly out of reach because the unstable ruling coalition has been forced to delay additional budget measures because of disagreements.

The Guardian - Business

BDUK's aim was to deliver superfast broadband to 90% of the population by 2015 - and we know that this target has slipped a little.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Signing targets have slipped through the net and they can't get the ball into one.

BBC

Snow Brand, a milk company involved in a food-poisoning scandal last year, is talked about as one possible target because its share price has slipped as a result of the scandal.

The Economist

Missouri is a state that President Obama lost by fewer than 4,000 votes in the last election but that has slipped away from the campaign's top targets.

The New York Times

But Intercontinental Hotels has slipped 7.5p to 537p as JP Morgan cut its price target from £10 to 900p, but retained its overweight rating.

The Guardian - Business

But AstraZeneca has slipped 106.5p to £39.86 after its shares went ex-dividend and one time target Forest Labs was bought for $25bn by US group Actavis.

The Guardian - Business

Obama was right on target when he pointed out: "Our infrastructure used to be the best, but our lead has slipped.

Huffington Post

TalkTalk Telecom has slipped 5.5p to 286p as Nomura cut from buy to neutral with its target price lowered from 330p to 300p.

The Guardian - Business

The proportion of women on Australian government boards has slipped for the second year in a row, remaining just below the gender diversity target of 40%.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "target has slipped", consider the context and ensure it accurately reflects a gradual or continuous movement away from a specific goal, as opposed to a sudden failure.

Common error

Avoid using "target has slipped" when a goal was never within reach or was missed abruptly. The phrase implies a gradual and continuous movement away from the intended goal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "target has slipped" functions as a statement indicating that a specific goal or objective is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve or has moved further away from its intended position. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "target has slipped" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression indicating that a goal or objective is becoming less attainable. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, conveying a sense of concern or need for reassessment. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a gradual decline, as opposed to an abrupt failure. Alternatives include phrases like ""goal was not achieved"" or ""objective fell short"", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

goal was not achieved

This alternative directly states the failure to reach a specific goal, differing from the original phrase's implication of gradual movement away from the target.

objective fell short

This option emphasizes the shortfall in achieving the desired objective, contrasting with the sense of gradual slippage in the original phrase.

aim was missed

This alternative highlights the failure to hit a specific aim, whereas the original phrase suggests a more continuous process of moving away from the target.

benchmark was not met

This alternative underlines the failure to satisfy benchmark, changing the perspective from a gradual slip to a missed attainment.

standard declined

This phrase focuses on a drop in standards, shifting the focus from a specific target to overall performance level.

expectation was unmet

This option focuses on unmet expectations, differing from the original phrase which suggests a gradual deviation from an established target.

opportunity was lost

This option concentrates on a missed chance, changing the context from a gradual slippage to a definitive loss.

deadline was missed

This alternative centers on missing a deadline, whereas the original phrase suggests a more ongoing process of moving away from the intended target.

performance deteriorated

This phrase refers to declining performance, presenting a shift from aiming to miss a desired result.

progress stalled

This option highlights that the progress has stopped, differing from the gradual movement from the target.

FAQs

How can I use "target has slipped" in a sentence?

You can use "target has slipped" to describe situations where a previously achievable goal is becoming increasingly difficult to attain, such as "Due to budget cuts, the project's target has slipped".

What's a good alternative to "target has slipped"?

Alternatives include phrases like "goal was not achieved", "objective fell short", or "aim was missed" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the target slipped" instead of "target has slipped"?

While "the target slipped" is grammatically correct, "target has slipped" implies a process that has been occurring over time, rather than a single event. The best choice depends on the context you are describing.

What's the difference between "target has slipped" and "deadline was missed"?

"Target has slipped" suggests that the original aim is gradually becoming unattainable, whereas "deadline was missed" indicates a specific date or time has passed without the goal being achieved.