English Reference
Idiom idiom

slip back to old ways


to return to past bad habits

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

He tried to quit sugar but slipped back to old ways.

CONTEXTUAL

After a month of healthy eating, he felt tired and slipped back to old ways by ordering fast food every night.

COMPLEX

Despite his sincere vow to maintain a disciplined routine, the pressures of his new position caused him to slip back to old ways of procrastination and neglect.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    a little of something goes a long way

    Only a small amount of something is usually required to produce a great effect.

  2. 02

    all the way to Egery and back

    The long way; a roundabout route; a long distance to travel.

  3. 03

    any old nook or cranny

    Alternative form of any nook or cranny.

  4. 04

    back down

    To take a less aggressive position in a conflict than one previously had, or has planned to have.

  5. 05

    back forty

    The most remote or inaccessible part of any place.

  6. 06

    back gammon player

    A person, chiefly a homosexual, who has anal sex.

  7. 07

    back in the game

    Having recovered from a disadvantageous position.

  8. 08

    back into

    To advance to the post-season as a result of another team's loss, especially where one's own team has also lost.

Last updated August 10, 2026