slippery (redirected from Slipperily)

*slippery as an eel

devious and untrustworthy, but impossible to catch. (*Also: as ~.) Don't sign a lease with that landlord; I think he's as slippery as an eel. The con artist was slippery as an eel. Although he defrauded many people, he never went to prison.

See also: eel

slippery customer 

1. Fig. a clever and deceitful customer. Watch out for that guy with the big padded coat. He may snatch something. He's a real slippery customer.

2. Fig. a slippery creature. This little fish is a slippery customer. Get me something to scoop it back into its bowl.

See also: customer

slippery slope

a dangerous pathway or route to follow; a route that leads to trouble. The matter of euthanasia is a slippery slope with both legal and moral considerations.

See also: slope

---

a slippery slope

a situation or habit that is likely to lead to a worse situation or habit If you let kids stay up late a few nights you're on a slippery slope. My advice is to keep away from all drugs. It's a slippery slope.

See also: slope

be as slippery as an eel

someone who is as slippery as an eel cannot be trusted

Usage notes: An eel is a long fish which has a body like a snake.

You'd be mad to go into business with him. He's as slippery as an eel.

See also: eel

---

on a slippery slope

in a situation that is likely to become more difficult or complicated We started arguing, and then we got on the slippery slope of what's fair and what's not fair. So far, we have taken only the first few steps toward a society in which different people would have different rights, but we are on a slippery slope.

Usage notes: sometimes used without on: Where does this slippery slope end?

See also: slope