slipped

Slipped is the past tense and past participle of the verb slip. It describes a loss of traction, balance, or grip, typically resulting in a slide or fall. It can also refer to failing to adhere to a plan or expectation, or to making a small error, as in a slip of the tongue or a slip in judgment. The term is used in both physical and figurative contexts.

In everyday language, slipping commonly refers to physical missteps on wet or uneven surfaces, causing a fall or near-fall. It can also describe objects moving unexpectedly, such as a door that slips from a hand or a belt that slips out of place. Metaphorically, a person may slip up by revealing information accidentally or by making a minor error in procedure.

In medicine, the phrase slipped disc (or slipped disk) is a common, informal reference to a herniated disc in the spine. While not a precise medical term, it is widely understood to describe nucleus material protruding through a damaged disc, which can cause pain or neurological symptoms.

In geology and earth sciences, slip denotes movement along a fault plane during earthquakes or distinct episodes of displacement. Terms such as fault slip, slip rate, and slip vector are used to describe the amount and direction of movement.

Other specialized uses include slipping in ceramics, where slip is a liquid clay applied to join pieces, and in textiles or crafts where a thread or stitch may slip from its intended position.