1 C1 idiomatic informal
To leave a place furtively, especially to avoid obligations or responsibilities
"Half the team sloped off early before the chairs had even been stacked away."
slope off
C1 informal intransitive
To leave a place quietly and furtively, especially to avoid work or responsibility
In plain English
To quietly leave somewhere when you should be staying, usually because you don't want to do something
What does "slope off" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To move off on a slope — i.e., at an angle, not directly
Actually means
To quietly leave somewhere when you should be staying, usually because you don't want to do something
Usage tip
Chiefly British English. Has a mildly humorous or disapproving tone. Often implies that the person leaving knows they probably shouldn't be going.
Words that pair with "slope off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
early quietly unnoticed pub work meeting
How to conjugate "slope off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
slope off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
slopes off
he/she/it
Past simple
sloped off
yesterday
Past participle
sloped off
have + pp
-ing form
sloping off
continuous
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