slippery slope

noun

: a course of action that seems to lead inevitably from one action or result to another with unintended consequences

Examples of slippery slope in a Sentence

His behavior will lead him down a slippery slope to ruin.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Jessica writes about the slippery slope in her book, Holding It Together: How Women Became America’s Safety Net. —

Harvard Business Review, 25 Nov. 2024 The Hoosiers ceded the higher ground and are battling against a very slippery slope. —

Justin Williams, The Athletic, 23 Nov. 2024 The slippery slope of sweet, smooth purees The early years of a child’s life are crucial for developing lifelong healthy eating habits. —

Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2024 Recent action by the United States federal government surrounding Chinese companies marks a significant shift that could represent the start of a slippery slope toward additional restrictions. —

Tim Bates, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for slippery slope

Word History

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of slippery slope was in 1951

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Slippery slope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slippery%20slope. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

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