The phrase "slip away" is spelled phonetically as /slɪp əˈweɪ/. It is a compound verb consisting of two words, "slip" and "away". The sound /sl/ represents the initial syllable of the word "slip", which is a voiceless alveolar fricative, and then followed by the sound /ɪp/ which represents the second syllable in a short i sound. The sound /ˈweɪ/ represents the word "away", with the stress on the second syllable and a long a sound. Together, these sounds create the phonetic transcription of the phrase "slip away".
Slip away is a phrasal verb that refers to the act of leaving or escaping from a place or situation quietly or unnoticed. It implies a sense of gradual and smooth departure or disappearance. It can also be used metaphorically to describe the passing of time or an opportunity.
In a literal sense, slip away means to depart quietly, often without attracting attention or causing any disruption. It suggests a discreet exit, where someone may slip away from a party, a gathering, or a meeting without being noticed or drawing attention to themselves. For example, "He slipped away from the meeting before it ended."
Metaphorically, slip away can mean the passage of time without notice or the loss of an opportunity. It conveys a sense of something unnoticed or gone unnoticed. For instance, "The years slipped away, and before she knew it, she was old" or "He let the chance to study abroad slip away."
This expression can also describe the fading or loss of memory, as in "His memories were slipping away as he aged."
In summary, slip away refers to the act of departing quietly or unnoticed from a place or situation. It can also metaphorically signify the passing of time or the loss of an opportunity.
The word "slip away" is a phrase composed of two separate words: "slip" and "away".
The word "slip" can be traced back to Middle English, where it originated from the Old English word "slipan" meaning "glide, slide, or move smoothly". It is also related to the Old Norse word "sleppa" and the Old High German word "slifan", both of which carry similar meanings. Over time, the word "slip" continued to evolve, encompassing the idea of something sliding away or escaping effortlessly.
The word "away" comes from the Old English word "onweg" or "weg", meaning "from this (or that) place, off, or at a distance".