slip up
B1 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To make a small mistake, usually by not being careful enough
Literal meaning: To lose one's footing and fall upward — not meaningful literally; wholly idiomatic
Meanings
1 B1
idiomatic
informal
To make a small or careless mistake
"The accountant slipped up and forgot to include the sales tax in the report."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1
idiomatic
informal
To reveal something accidentally through a careless comment or action
"He slipped up and mentioned the surprise party in front of her."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
The related noun 'a slip-up' (written with a hyphen) is very common. This phrasal verb implies the mistake was avoidable and usually minor. Widely used in both British and American English.
Commonly used with
mistake error once badly slightly again
Forms
Base
slip up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
slips up
he/she/it
Past simple
sliped up
yesterday
Past participle
sliped up
have + pp
-ing form
sliping up
continuous
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Synonyms
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