slip back
Return to worse
To slip back is to return gradually to a previous, usually worse, condition or habit.
Someone recovering from addiction might slip back into old patterns.
A patient's health can slip back after improvement.
The phrase suggests quiet regression rather than dramatic collapse—the slide happens almost unnoticed.
- relapseReturn to former illness
- fall off the wagonResume addictive behavior after abstaining
- revertReturn to earlier condition
- backslideRevert to bad habits
- regressRevert to earlier state
lose ground · retreat · succumb · give in · return · backtrack · decline · go downhill · devolve · fall · deteriorate · undo · withdraw · skid · recoil · stumble · worsen · waver
slip backadvance
Move or progress forward
progress · move forward · push ahead · forge ahead · leap forward
slip backpush forward
Proceed with determination
claw back · charge ahead · persevere · hold steady · dig in
slip, back, slips, slipped, slipping, slippage, slipper, slippers, slippery