let slide

To allow something to happen without objecting or taking action.

• I will let it slide this time.
• She let his rude comment slide.
• Should we let this error slide or ask for a correction?

How to use it: let something slide (I let the mistake slide because it was minor.)

Similar words: overlook, ignore, let pass

Common phrases: let something slide, let a mistake slide

To allow someone to avoid punishment for breaking a rule.

• The teacher let me slide this time.
• The officer let her slide with a warning.
• Will the judge let him slide on the minor charge?

How to use it: let someone slide on something (The officer let me slide on the parking violation.)

Similar words: let off, excuse

Opposites: punish

Common phrases: let someone slide, let a driver slide

To stop caring for something properly, so its condition gets worse.

• He let his studies slide.
• We have let the house slide since the baby arrived.
• Do not let your health slide when work gets busy.

How to use it: let something slide (They let the garden slide after moving away.)

Similar words: neglect

Opposites: maintain

Common phrases: let something slide, let standards slide

To stop thinking about something because you consider it unimportant.

• Let that worry slide for now.
• He let the memory slide because it no longer mattered.
• I tried to let the whole incident slide from my mind.

How to use it: let something slide (She let the thought slide and returned to her book.)

Similar words: dismiss, forget

Common phrases: let something slide, let worries slide

To allow something to move smoothly across a surface.

• Let the toy slide down the ramp.
• She let the glass slide across the smooth table.
• We let the boards slide slowly onto the truck.

How to use it: let something slide down something (Let the box slide down the ramp.)

Common phrases: let something slide, let the box slide