ENGLISH
REFERENCE

give someone the slip

idiom
Meaning

To evade, escape, or get away from somebody.


Examples
SIMPLE

The thief managed to give the police the slip.

CONTEXTUAL

I tried to talk to my boss, but he gave me the slip and walked into a meeting.

COMPLEX

After hours of being followed through the crowded market, the spy finally gave his pursuers the slip by disappearing into a dark alleyway.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    as if someone owns the place

    Alternative form of like someone owns the place.

  2. 02

    beat someone round the ears

    To beat (a person) with blows about the head.

  3. 03

    bless someone with

    To give or bestow, as a gift from God.

  4. 04

    bring someone to their knees

    To defeat and make submit to orders.

  5. 05

    call someone every name in the book

    To call someone many abusive names.

  6. 06

    call someone everything but a child of God

    To call someone many abusive names.

  7. 07

    catch someone napping

    To take advantage of someone's inattention.

  8. 08

    cry someone a river

    To weep profusely or excessively in the presence of another person.

© 2026 English Reference