Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

I came across the street to meet you

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

The bridge came across the river

Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

She comes across as very confident in interviews

He came across the finish line first

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

The bus will come by this route

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

I come by the office every morning at 8

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Can you come by my house later for coffee?

The train came by the station too fast

She comes by the grocery store home

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The new iPhone will come out next month

I need to come out from the house now

The new iPhone will come out next month

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The truth finally came out after the investigation

The students came out to the classroom

Meaning and Usage of Slipped Away

"As moments slipped away, the essence of life revealed itself, reminding us to cherish time before it quietly vanishes."

📖 Definition

To slip away means to depart quietly or to fade gradually over time. It can refer to someone leaving unnoticed or something slowly disappearing.

Examples in context

As the years slipped away, the village remained untouched by modernity.
When the final bell rang, the students slipped away into the bustling city.
Her thoughts slipped away, lost in the tranquility of the garden.

📖 Definition

To slip away means to depart quietly or to fade gradually over time. It can refer to someone leaving unnoticed or something slowly disappearing.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

The verb and particle cannot be separated.

Neutral

It can be used in both casual and formal contexts.

Transitive

It does not take a direct object.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	slip away	Many precious moments slip away unnoticed.
Past Simple	slipped away	The opportunity slipped away before he could act.
Present Continuous	slipping away	Time is slipping away faster than expected.
Present Perfect	have slipped away	Several chances have slipped away this year.

💡 When to Use

When describing unnoticed departures

Use this when someone or something leaves quietly without attracting attention.

Example: "By the time we noticed, he had already slipped away."

When discussing gradual fades

Use this to describe things that are disappearing slowly over time.

Example: "The sunlight slipped away as dusk began to settle."

When losing opportunity

Utilize this when referring to lost chances or opportunities over time.

Example: "She regretted letting so many opportunities slip away."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect preposition

❌ Wrong: The memory slipped off.

✅ Correct: The memory slipped away.

💡 Tip: Remember 'slip away' pairs together, not 'slip off'.

Using with a direct object

❌ Wrong: He slipped the book away.

✅ Correct: He slipped away quietly.

💡 Tip: Avoid direct objects; it's an intransitive verb.

Wrong tense

❌ Wrong: She slips away last night.

✅ Correct: She slipped away last night.

💡 Tip: Ensure past events use the past form 'slipped away'.

Practice

SLIPPED AWAY - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

1
Listen to example

As the years slipped away, the village remained untouched by modernity.
The World In Your Pocket
2
Listen to example

When the final bell rang, the students slipped away into the bustling city.
The World In Your Pocket
3
Listen to example

Her thoughts slipped away, lost in the tranquility of the garden.
The World In Your Pocket

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

vanish depart

Antonyms

linger

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"As the sun set, the landscape ___ into the night."

slid off

slipped away

moved away

went down

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Slipped Away

What is the origin of slipped away?

The phrase 'slipped away' originates from Middle English, with 'slip' meaning to lose grip and depart quietly. Over time, it evolved to describe things departing unnoticed or fading slowly.

Can slipped away be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'slipped away' is versatile and can be used in both formal contexts, such as literature and speeches, and informal contexts, like everyday conversation, to indicate quiet departures.

What is the difference between slipped away and vanish?

Both imply disappearing, but 'slipped away' often connotes a quiet, unnoticed departure or gradual fade, while 'vanish' suggests a more sudden disappearance, often without a trace.

Browse All The World In Your Pocket Phrasal Verbs

About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey

📖 Definition

📖 Definition

📝 Grammar Info

📊 Conjugation Table

💡 When to Use

⚠️ Common Mistakes

SLIPPED AWAY - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Slipped Away

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega