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.
The difference today is that the slippery slope has become steeper and the slide faster. John Whitehead, Oc Register, 16 Aug. 2025 That way, executives can avoid the slippery slope of having to maintain and support legacy packaging and code forks. Chris Mele, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025 And another is the slippery slope of logical fallacy. Shaon Lahiri, The Conversation, 7 July 2025 The rules get complicated Student loan borrowers may have ‘no affordable options’ under Trump Trump’s ‘no tax on tips’ sparks questions for workers Otherwise, a credit card can be a slippery slope, leading couples to walk down the aisle with long-lasting and expensive debt, experts say. Ana Teresa Solá, CNBC, 26 July 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Slippery slope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slippery%20slope. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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