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let slip

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let something slip (out)

Fig. to reveal a secret carelessly or by accident. I didn't let it slip out on purpose. It was an accident. John let the plans slip when he was talking to Bill.

See also: let, slip

let something slip

also let slip something

to say something that you intended to keep secret She doesn't like to tell people what she's doing, but sometimes she'll let something slip. From time to time, Alex lets slip an ugly comment about his colleagues.

Usage notes: also used in the form let it slip: Pam let it slip that I'm not going to be promoted.

See also: let, slip

let slip something

to say something that you did not intend to say because you wanted to keep it secret Pam let slip an interesting bit of gossip yesterday. (often + that ) Stupidly, I let it slip that they'd decided not to give him the job.

See also: let, slip

let slip

1. Also, let slip or slide by ; let slide. Miss an opportunity; waste time. For example, We forgot to buy a ticket and let our big chance slip by, or He let the whole day slide by. The first term dates from the mid-1500s, the variant from the late 1500s.

2. Also, let slip out. Reveal something, usually inadvertently, as in He let it slip out that he had applied for the vacant position. [Mid-1800s]

3. let slip through one's fingers. Fail to seize an opportunity, as in We could have won the trophy but we let it slip through our fingers. [First half of 1600s]

See also: let, slip

let slip

To say inadvertently.

See also: let, slip