The/a slippery slope
noun
A situation or course of action that will lead to a worse or harmful outcome.
Many people believe that lying to your partner is a slippery slope to a broken relationship.
Often appears as...
- on a slippery slope
- start a slippery slope
Usage tips
Idiomatic, Colloquial
noun
An idea or course of action which will lead to something unacceptable, wrong, or disastrous.
Authorities worry that legalizing marijuana could be a slippery slope to legalizing other drugs.
Often appears as...
- face a slippery slope
- head down a slippery slope
Usage tips
Idiomatic, Colloquial
noun
A process or series of events that is hard to stop or control once it has begun and that usually leads to worse or more difficult things.
Skipping your workout once becomes a slippery slope for skipping it more frequently.
Often appears as...
- lead to a slippery slope
- venture down a slippery slope
Usage tips
Idiomatic, Colloquial
noun
A situation or course of action that will lead to a worse or harmful outcome.
Many people believe that lying to your partner is a slippery slope to a broken relationship.
Often appears as...
- on a slippery slope
- start a slippery slope
Usage tips
Idiomatic, Colloquial
noun
An idea or course of action which will lead to something unacceptable, wrong, or disastrous.
Authorities worry that legalizing marijuana could be a slippery slope to legalizing other drugs.
Often appears as...
- face a slippery slope
- head down a slippery slope
Usage tips
Idiomatic, Colloquial
noun
A process or series of events that is hard to stop or control once it has begun and that usually leads to worse or more difficult things.
Skipping your workout once becomes a slippery slope for skipping it more frequently.
Often appears as...
- lead to a slippery slope
- venture down a slippery slope
Usage tips
Idiomatic, Colloquial
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Meaning
The term is used metaphorically and does not refer to an actual slope.
Cheating on a test is a slippery slope to academic dishonesty.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Consequence
Emphasizes starting something seemingly harmless that leads to serious problems.
That one drink might look tempting, but it's a slippery slope to addiction.
Pro Tip 3/3Strong Warning
Used to warn someone about the dangerous progression of events.
Ignoring small business losses can be a slippery slope to bankruptcy.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Meaning
The term is used metaphorically and does not refer to an actual slope.
Cheating on a test is a slippery slope to academic dishonesty.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Consequence
Emphasizes starting something seemingly harmless that leads to serious problems.
That one drink might look tempting, but it's a slippery slope to addiction.
Pro Tip 3/3Strong Warning
Used to warn someone about the dangerous progression of events.
Ignoring small business losses can be a slippery slope to bankruptcy.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Meaning
The term is used metaphorically and does not refer to an actual slope.
Cheating on a test is a slippery slope to academic dishonesty.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Consequence
Emphasizes starting something seemingly harmless that leads to serious problems.
That one drink might look tempting, but it's a slippery slope to addiction.
Pro Tip 3/3Strong Warning
Used to warn someone about the dangerous progression of events.
Ignoring small business losses can be a slippery slope to bankruptcy.
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