slip back

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

To return to a previous habit

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

The 20-year-old started life as a central defender at Charlton Athletic and even though he has been used on the right side of defence by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp he slipped back into his old routine with real aplomb, showing his awareness with a series of crucial interceptions.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “slip back” mean?

To return to a previous habit

Is “slip back” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.