slip up — make a mistake
phrasal verbB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
To make a small mistake, usually by accident or carelessness.
Say it like a native
Textbook I committed an error in the calculation.
Native I slipped up on the calculation.
'Slip up' is the everyday way to admit a small mistake; 'committed an error' is formal.
Pattern: slip up (on something)
In use
- I slipped up and sent the email to the wrong person.daily life
- In my last job interview, I slipped up when I forgot the company's name, which was a bit embarrassing.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ I slipped up a mistake.
✓ I slipped up.
'Slip up' already means make a mistake — don't add 'a mistake'.
Common collocations
slip up + context— badly, once, on the details, somewhere
Don't confuse it
Compare with 'mess up,' which can mean a bigger or more serious mistake.