Phrasal verb
slip on
Definition
phrasal verb. to put on a piece of clothing quickly and easily.
phrasal verb. to don a garment with minimal effort or speed. Transitive and optionally separable, though the object often follows the particle when it is a short noun phrase.
Examples
“I'll just slip on a sweater before we go out.”
“He decided to slip on his shoes and run to the mailbox without tying the laces.”
“As the temperature plummeted, she paused only to slip on a heavy woollen coat before stepping out into the biting wind.”
Examples
simple
“I'll just slip on a sweater before we go out.”
contextual
“He decided to slip on his shoes and run to the mailbox without tying the laces.”
complex
“As the temperature plummeted, she paused only to slip on a heavy woollen coat before stepping out into the biting wind.”
Usage
usually used with light or easy-to-wear items like shoes, jackets, or sweaters.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'put on' (neutral) and 'get into' (implies effort); 'slip on' emphasizes the ease and speed of the action.
Pitfall
I slipped on me my coat.
I slipped on my coat.
the verb does not take a reflexive pronoun like 'me' or 'myself' when the subject is the one wearing the clothes.
Phrasal verb
Particles
on
Separability
optional
Pattern
slip + on + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
PHRASAL VERB
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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