1 B1 idiomatic neutral
To leave a place quietly and without being noticed.
"As the speeches dragged on, she slipped away from the reception without saying goodbye."
inseparable
slip away
B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
To leave or disappear quietly, or to gradually pass or diminish.
In plain English
Leave quietly without being noticed, or (of time, life, or chances) gradually disappear.
What does "slip away" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
Of time, opportunities, or feelings: to pass or disappear gradually.
"The years slipped away and suddenly the children were grown."
“
The time is slipping away.
— Bob Dylan, 'The Times They Are A-Changin'', 1964 (paraphrase of recurring lyrical theme)
inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral
To die peacefully and quietly (euphemistic).
"She slipped away in the early hours of the morning, surrounded by her family."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To slip (move smoothly without resistance) away — partially transparent.
Actually means
Leave quietly without being noticed, or (of time, life, or chances) gradually disappear.
Usage tip
Versatile phrasal verb used both physically (a person leaving quietly) and figuratively (time slipping away, a chance slipping away, life slipping away as a euphemism for dying). The figurative senses are very common in literature and journalism. Also used as a euphemism for dying peacefully.
Words that pair with "slip away"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
time chance opportunity life quietly crowd
How to conjugate "slip away"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
slip away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
slips away
he/she/it
Past simple
sliped away
yesterday
Past participle
sliped away
have + pp
-ing form
sliping away
continuous
Hear "slip away" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "slip away" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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