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let slip through fingers

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let somebody slip through your fingers

to allow someone to escape from you The police let the main suspect slip through their fingers.

See also: finger, let, slip

let something slip through your fingers

1. to waste an opportunity to achieve something This is my big chance to make a career in journalism and I can't let it slip through my fingers.

Usage notes: sometimes used without let: He has seen the world championship slip through his fingers twice.

2. to fail to get or keep something The team lost one of their star players to Seattle last year, and didn't want to let another slip through their fingers.

See also: finger, let, slip