VocabDictionary
🇬🇧English to English[slipping one's mind]

slipping one's mind

/ˈslɪp.ɪŋ wʌnz maɪnd/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.idiom

To be forgotten temporarily; to escape someone's memory.

Example Sentences:
  • I meant to call you yesterday, but it completely slipped my mind.
  • The details of the meeting slipped her mind until she checked her calendar.
Share & Learn With Friends

Share “slipping one's mind” with study groups, classmates, or on your social channels.

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “slipping one's mind”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

The idiom utilizes the metaphor of physical motion—specifically something small, smooth, or elusive slipping out of a person's grasp. Dating back to early modern English, the 'mind' is conceptualized as a container or storage space from which memories or intentions can accidentally slide away or escape if not firmly held.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Picture a greasy thought that literally slips like a bar of soap out of your brain's hands.

Frequently Asked Questions About “slipping one's mind

1. What is the meaning of “slipping one's mind” in English?

In English, slipping one's mind (idiom) is defined as: “To be forgotten temporarily; to escape someone's memory.”.

2. How do you use “slipping one's mind” in a sentence?

I meant to call you yesterday, but it completely slipped my mind.

3. What are English synonyms of “slipping one's mind”?

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “slipping one's mind”?

The idiom utilizes the metaphor of physical motion—specifically something small, smooth, or elusive slipping out of a person's grasp. Dating back to early modern English, the 'mind' is conceptualized as a container or storage space from which memories or intentions can accidentally slide away or escape if not firmly held.