Herausrutschen

Herausrutschen is a German verb formed from the prefix heraus- and the verb rutschen. It denotes the action of sliding out from a position or slipping away from something that held or contained it. The term can be used for both concrete, physical slipping and for figurative escapes, such as information or words that unexpectedly escape.

Usage and nuance: In literal terms, herausrutschen describes a slipping motion. Examples include objects that slip from a hand or off a surface: Der Deckel rutschte mir aus der Hand. In figurative use, it refers to something unintentionally spoken or revealed: Ihm ist ein Wort herausgerutscht. It can also describe something moving away from a place or state, often suddenly or uncontrollably, as in Der Wagen rutschte auf dem Eis heraus. The typical constructions are j-m wird etwas herausgerutscht or etwas rutscht jemandem heraus, depending on whether the subject is the person or another object.

Etymology and related terms: The word combines heraus- (out) with rutschen (to slide). Related expressions include entgleiten (to slip away, with nuance of losing control) and ausrutschen (to slip, sometimes used for mistakes or slips in speech). While all convey slipping, herausrutschen emphasizes the sense of something slipping out of reach, grip, or mouth.

See also: entgleiten, ausrutschen, aus dem Mund rutschen. Common synonyms vary by context, with literal slipping favoring rutschen and figurative slips often using herausrutschen or related phrases.