The phrase "gave someone the slip" is an idiomatic expression that refers to an act of eluding or escaping from someone, often in a sly or cunning manner, in order to avoid detection, capture, or unwanted attention. The phrase is commonly used in informal contexts, particularly in spoken language.
When someone "gives someone the slip," they successfully manage to evade or outmaneuver the person who is pursuing or attempting to find them. It implies skillful and deliberate actions taken to avoid being caught or noticed. The slip, in this context, refers to the act of slipping away unnoticed or slipping out of someone's grasp.
The idiom can be employed in various scenarios, such as avoiding an unwanted conversation, dodging an enemy, or escaping from a potential threat. It can also be used metaphorically to describe situations where someone manages to elude general scrutiny or evade an obligation.
"Gave someone the slip" can also be used figuratively to express actions taken to avoid being caught or held accountable in a non-physical sense. It conveys the idea of successfully evading someone's expectations, inquiries, or responsibilities.
In summary, "giving someone the slip" means to cleverly and skillfully escape or elude someone's pursuit or attention, often through sly or cunning means, whether in a literal or figurative sense.
