Cool MateLet the gun slip out vs Lose
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Let the gun slip out
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Lose
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Most common: Lose
| Let the gun slip out | Lose | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //lɛt ðə ɡʌn slɪp aʊt//🇺🇸 //lɛt ðə ɡʌn slɪp aʊt// | 🇬🇧 /["/luːz/","/ˈluːzɪz/","/lɒst/","/ˈluːzɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/luːz/","/ˈluːzɪz/","/lɔːst/","/ˈluːzɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | Allow the gun to fall from your hand. | to no longer have something; to not win |
| Example | He was so anxious that he let the gun slip out of his hands. | I tend to lose my keys all the time. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | let it go, slip away, hold it tightly | forever, be about to, be going to, be likely to, forever, be about to, be going to, be likely to, forever, be about to, be going to, be likely to, hate to, not bear to, not like to, against, by, to, win or lose, forever, be about to, be going to, be likely to |
| Antonyms | - | win, gain, retain |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'let' with 'make'; 'let' means to allow, while 'make' means to force., Using 'slip out' without an object; it's typically used with something falling., Forgetting to consider the seriousness of discussing firearms. | Confused with 'loose' - they sound similar but have different meanings., Using 'losing' instead of 'lost' for past events., Mixing up 'lose' with 'loose' in written sentences. |
| Usage notes | This phrase is often used in informal contexts and may not be appropriate in very serious discussions. Use with caution around sensitive topics. | Used in both formal and informal contexts. It is appropriate for expressing the loss of items, competitions, or even relationships. Avoid using in overly formal written contexts. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Let the gun slip out vs Lose
What's the difference between Let the gun slip out and Lose?
Let the gun slip out: Allow the gun to fall from your hand. Lose: to no longer have something; to not win
Which is more common: Let the gun slip out and Lose?
Lose is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Let the gun slip out: He was so anxious that he let the gun slip out of his hands. Lose: I tend to lose my keys all the time.
Can I use Let the gun slip out and Lose interchangeably?
Not always. Let the gun slip out and Lose are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.