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Give Him the Slip (Origin)
What Is the Origin of the Saying "Give Him the Slip"?
The term "give [someone] the slip" means to escape from someone.
Examples of Use:
- After a long chase, the burglar gave the police the slip.
- I do not want to talk to the boss, so I will make a coffee and give him the slip when he comes in the office.
- He tracked the bear for days, but it gave him the slip when it crossed a river.
- Here comes Anne. Let's give her the slip and hide down this alley.
- "Cry 'Havoc!', and let slip the dogs of war." (In essence, this means "release the hounds!")
"Slip" (the associated noun) has become a synonym for "escape," and the term "to give someone the slip" means to escape.
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