slippery slope, a
Definition: A dangerous path or situation leading to disaster. Alluding to a path down which one could slide to a bad fall, this figure of speech dates from the mid-1900s. The Daily Telegraph of January 6, 1964 stated, “While Western feet thus approach what some fear may be a slippery slope towards recognition of the East, Ulbricht’s ground seems as firm as ever it was.” In a New Yorker piece about writers chronicling Sherlock Holmes, one of them is quoted as saying, “I’ve now done . . . more than fifteen hundred pages, and I’ve only gotten up to 1950. It’s been a slippery slope into madness and obsession” (Dec. 13, 2004).
Similar Terms and Expressions
- Thin ice: Alluding to walking on a frozen lake where the ice might break at any minute.
- On the edge: A precariously balanced situation.
- Playing with fire: Engaging in dangerous and risky behavior.
- At the brink: On the verge of a dangerous or exciting new development.
- A ticking time bomb: A volatile situation that can lead to disaster at any moment.
Synonyms
- Precarious position
- Risky path
- Treacherous course
Antonyms
- Safe haven
- Secure footing
- Solid ground
Proverbs
- “When you slide, friction is your friend. Unless it’s a chocolate slope, then you’re on your own.”
- “Better build a guardrail at the top of the steep.” (Inverse metaphor to preventive measures)
Joke
Why don’t mathematicians like the slippery slope argument? Because they don’t like things getting out of hand!
Literature Reference
- Book: “Freakonomics” by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner - This non-fiction book dives into the unexpected and often risky consequences of seemingly logical decisions.
- Book: “House of Cards” by Michael Dobbs - Political intrigue and the slippery slope of power-hungry deceit.
Song Recommendation
- Song: “Slip Sliding Away” by Paul Simon - A beautiful tune that metaphorically talks about life’s slippery slopes.
Film Recommendation
- Movie: “Inception” directed by Christopher Nolan - A film where the characters often find themselves navigating psychological slippery slopes.
“Adventures are fun, but sometimes the secure path less traveled is the wisest choice.” ⭐️
Your Friendly Wordsmith, Penelope Narrativa
