let things slide

let things slide

To let a situation become worse over time through inaction or incompetence. All of our credit cards are maxed out, and we missed our mortgage payment last month—how have we let things slide so badly?
See also: let, slide, thing
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

let things slide

 and let something slide
Fig. to ignore the things that one is supposed to do; to fall behind in the doing of one's work. I am afraid that I let the matter slide while I was recovering from my operation. If I let things slide for even one day, I get hopelessly behind in my work.
See also: let, slide, thing
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • cash or credit
  • cheque is in the mail
  • credit (something) to (someone or something)
  • the buck stops here
  • buck stops here
  • buck stops here, the
  • check is in the mail, the
  • the check is in the mail
  • grace period
  • credit with
References in classic literature
I said Hang!--and let things slide. I had plenty of time for meditation, and now and then I would give some thought to Kurtz.
The boat-keepers were swearing feebly, and I had not only my share of the work, but also had to keep at it two men who showed a constant inclination to lay themselves down and let things slide.
When you've been careless and let things slide, what you have refused to attend to gathers itself up, adopts a serpentine form, and strikes, often at the worst possible moment.
"We had a meeting and the manager made it clear we would be letting ourselves down if we let things slide - and that we should make a commitment that we wouldn't let it affect us.
How often do we let things slide? By not making our priorities known, we risk a slippery slope of disengagement and noncompliance.
The fitness fanatic - followed for decades by fans of her TV routines and books - said being 70-plus made her more aware of her age and even more determined not to let things slide. She said: "You suddenly think 'I might only have 20 years of my life to go' and that doesn't seem very long.
The fitness fanatic -- followed for decades by fans of her TV routines and books -- said being 70-plus made her more aware of her age and even more determined not to let things slide.
Get some me-time, let things slide, stop worrying about deadlines and getting everything done.
Anna faithfully tries to keep up, to remain on top of the day, and she tries not to let things slide, not to stop.
'We appeal that you do not let things slide to a point of no return and act as befit courageous and independent elective leaders of our nation,' it further said.
"If we are going to truly get better, not just talk for a couple of weeks and let things slide, we have to get better together," Police Chief Hahn said outside of the stadium before the game.
Mr Bond, who now works for a day-time security company and runs the Evolution4Kickboxing gym, told the ECHO: "In a situation like that as a doorman you have to be calm and let things slide. It is about calming and defusing a situation."
Dissatisfied employers and unhappy employees let things slide over December but make New Year's resolutions to sort things out.
God desired the flourishing of humankind but could not just "let things slide." Restitution, or satisfaction, had to be made for the sake of God's honor.
They are now 39 and 47 so you can tell we've let things slide.