# slip off

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/slip-off
Updated: 2026-10-23

## Definition

to leave a place quietly or secretly so that other people do not notice you.

For teachers: to depart a location or social gathering discreetly, often to avoid formal goodbyes or detection. The verb is intransitive in this sense.

## Examples

- I'll slip off before the meeting ends.
- The party was getting too loud, so we decided to slip off without saying goodbye to everyone.
- During the height of the gala, the diplomat managed to slip off to a private study for an unscheduled briefing.

## Usage notes

- Usually implies a desire for privacy or a wish to avoid a long departure process.
- Teaching tip: Contrast with 'sneak out', which implies doing something wrong; 'slip off' is often just about being discreet or avoiding a fuss.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.