ENGLISH
REFERENCE

let slide

idiom
Meaning

To allow the condition of something to deteriorate due to negligence or apathy.


Origin

disputed origin

From Middle English leten sliden (“to disregard, put aside, let pass, neglect”), equivalent to let + slide.

Examples
SIMPLE

He let his garden slide until the weeds took over.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager noticed the team let their filing system slide, so he asked them to organize the office today.

COMPLEX

By choosing to let his physical health slide for many years, he eventually found himself struggling with basic daily tasks.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    buy to let

    To purchase a property as in investment, and to let it out for rental instead of living in it

  2. 02

    don't let the door hit you on the way out

    Used as a command to leave in haste, or to indicate that one is glad, or at least unmoved, to see the addressed person leaving.

  3. 03

    let a sleeping dog lie

    Alternative form of let sleeping dogs lie.

  4. 04

    let bygones be bygones

    To disregard or ignore a past difficulty in a relationship or an offence (when dealing with another individual).

  5. 05

    let crazy stick its dick in you

    To have sex with a male deemed insane.

  6. 06

    let down

    To disappoint; to betray or fail somebody.

  7. 07

    let drive

    To aim a blow; to strike with force; to attack; to shoot (an arrow or firearm).

  8. 08

    let fly

    To strike or release a projectile with great force.

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