To give someone the slip
Meaning
To cleverly escape from someone who is pursuing or watching you.
Origin
Imagine a chase, whether it's a nimble fox evading a hunter's grasp or a clever thief scurrying through crowded streets. The essence of "the slip" lies in that elusive moment when something or someone breaks free from a hold or observation. The word "slip" itself, in the sense of escaping or getting away, has roots stretching back to the 16th century, but the full idiom "to give someone the slip" solidified in the 19th century. It paints a vivid picture of a swift, almost frictionless escape, where one momentarily holds a person or thing in their sights or grasp, only for it to effortlessly slide away, leaving the pursuer bewildered and empty-handed. This feeling of being outwitted by a hair's breadth is what brought the phrase into common use, particularly in tales of cunning evasion and narrow escapes.
Examples
- The suspect managed to give the police the slip by ducking into a crowded alleyway and changing his clothes.
- Despite the guard's vigilance, the mischievous cat always found a way to give him the slip and explore the forbidden pantry.