WordLens

slippery slope

1 of 1noun
/ˈslɪpəri sloʊp/
Forms:slippery slopes
1

a situation where a small initial action or decision leads to a chain of events that ultimately results in a more significant and often negative outcome

  • Allowing one exception to the rule could be the start of a slippery slope toward chaos.
  • He argued that censorship is a slippery slope that could lead to a loss of free speech.
  • Borrowing money to pay off debts can become a slippery slope into financial trouble.
  • Ignoring small issues in the relationship may create a slippery slope toward bigger problems.
  • Agreeing to one unfair demand could set a slippery slope for more unreasonable requests.