Hello and welcome to the English We Speak, where we explain expressions used by fluent English speakers so that you can use them too.

I'm Faye Faye and I'm supposed to be joined by Georgie, but where is she?

Hi Faye Faye, I'm so sorry I'm late. My alarm didn't go off and I overslept.

Oh, Georgie, come on, you're so late. But it's okay. I'll let it slide just this once.

Oh, thank you so much, Faye. And you just said you'll let it slide. And that's actually the phrase we're looking at in this

programme. So I was late to work and thankfully you're going to let it slide, which probably

means you won't tell my manager, right?

Yes. Let something slide means you ignore a mistake or problem instead of addressing

or punishing it.

For example, my son did something really naughty last night, but I decided to let it slide because he looked so cute when he did it.

If you've gone soft, Faye Faye, you're letting everything slide.

I must just be in a good mood, Georgie.

Use of this phrase often involves an authority figure, for example, when a teacher, parent or boss chooses not to enforce a rule.

Yes, but it can also be used between equals such as friends or colleagues when a person decides not to criticise something or bring up an issue.

Let's hear more examples.

I played a board game with my friends the other day. I got the rules a bit wrong, but luckily

they let it slide. Have you taken my cake again? I'm going to let it slide this time, but if it

happens again, I won't be happy.

I think the referee saw the foul, but must have decided it wasn't that major, as he let it slide.

So we've discussed how let something slide can mean to ignore a mistake that someone else has made

and not respond with any action. But it has another meaning, doesn't it, Georgie? Yes,

this meaning is also about inaction, but it's about neglecting your own responsibilities

...