A slippery slope
Meaning
This phrase describes a course of action that, though seemingly innocent, will inevitably lead to a disastrous or undesirable outcome.
Origin
The metaphor of a "slippery slope" captures a deeply ingrained human fear: the loss of control and the inevitability of a downward spiral. While the concept of a minor action leading to grave consequences is ancient, the vivid image of a "slippery slope" gained significant traction in English discourse during the early 20th century. It became a powerful rhetorical tool, particularly in legal and political debates, used to warn against initial, seemingly innocuous steps that would, by a perceived inescapable logic, lead to a disastrous or morally compromised end. This evocative imagery of a precarious incline, where one misstep guarantees a fall to the bottom, cemented its place as a common and compelling warning against change.
Examples
- Allowing even small deviations from the rules can put us on a slippery slope towards complete chaos.
- Many argued that legalizing soft drugs would be a slippery slope to allowing harder substances and increased societal problems.