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give sb the slip
/ɡˈɪv ˌɛsbˈiː ðə slˈɪp/
/ɡˈɪv ˌɛsbˈiː ðə slˈɪp/
to give sb the slip
[PHRASE]What is the origin of the idiom "give someone the slip" and when to use it?
The origin of the idiom "give someone the slip" can be traced back to at least the 16th century. The term "slip" in this context refers to the act of slipping away, evading, or eluding someone's pursuit. The phrase likely emerged from the world of thieves and pickpockets, where the ability to escape from pursuers was highly valued. It is often used in informal conversations, storytelling, and even in descriptions of clever strategies used in sports or competitive situations.
Examples
1. Somehow she’d given them the slip.
2. The burglar gave us the slip, but we're in pursuit.
3. But to find her meant giving him the slip, and she hadn't been too successful at that the last time.
4. search is still on for a man who gave the slip to security personnel while trying to enter a metro station here, police said Wednesday.
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