1 B1 neutral
To move downward unintentionally by losing grip or balance on a slippery surface.
"He slipped down the muddy bank and landed in the stream."
inseparable
slip down
B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
To move downward unintentionally by slipping, or (of food or drink) to be very easy and pleasant to swallow.
In plain English
Slide down accidentally, or (for food/drink) taste so good it goes down very easily.
What does "slip down" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
Of food or drink: to be very easy and pleasant to swallow, almost going down on its own.
"That cold lager slips down a treat on a hot day."
inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral
To fall to a lower level or position (of rankings, prices, or standards).
"The team slipped down to third place after their defeat at the weekend."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To slip (move accidentally) in a downward direction — fairly transparent.
Actually means
Slide down accidentally, or (for food/drink) taste so good it goes down very easily.
Usage tip
The sense about food and drink ('that wine really slips down') is very common in British English and is often used as a compliment. The physical sense of slipping downward (a person or object moving down unintentionally) is also common in everyday description.
Words that pair with "slip down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
wine beer soup drink slope stairs
How to conjugate "slip down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
slip down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
slips down
he/she/it
Past simple
sliped down
yesterday
Past participle
sliped down
have + pp
-ing form
sliping down
continuous
Hear "slip down" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "slip down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.