slip by

phrasal verb·2 senses·particle by

Usefulness

Meanings

1

Pass quietly without being noticed

Passing

Why “by”? Something moves near a point and continues past it.

“She slipped by the guard.”
She passed the guard without being noticed.
“The cat slipped by me when I opened the door.”
The cat passed me without being noticed when I opened the door.
2

Of time, pass quietly without being noticed

Time Passing

Why “by”? Time passes the same way. Moments stream past and are gone.

“Hours slipped by while I read.”
Hours passed unnoticed while I read.
“The morning slipped by while we talked.”
The morning passed without us noticing while we talked.

Don't confuse with

slip byslip behind

Slip by means pass quietly without being noticed. Slip behind means lose ground gradually compared to others.

slip byslip through

Slip by means pass quietly without being noticed. Slip through means pass through quietly or unnoticed.

slip byslip away

Slip by means pass quietly without being noticed. Slip away means pass gradually.

Test yourself

“She slipped by the guard.” What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.

slip away

A contrast learners often mix up

Leave quietly without being noticed; Pass gradually, especially time or opportunity

slip behind

A contrast learners often mix up

Lose ground gradually compared to others

slip through

A contrast learners often mix up

Pass through quietly or unnoticed

drive by

Same by pattern: passing

Move past a place in a vehicle

fly by

Same by pattern: passing

Travel past quickly through the air; Of time, pass extremely quickly

go by

Same by pattern: time passing

Of time, pass or elapse; Use a rule, name, or evidence as your guide; Use a particular name

pass by

Same by pattern: passing

Move past a point without stopping; Of an opportunity or time, go past without being used

roll by

Same by pattern: time passing

Of time, pass smoothly and continuously

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