a slip of the pen

slip of the pen

An unintentional mistake in one's writing, such as incorrect spelling, word choice, or meaning. Whoops, I meant to tell my mother that she was welcome to call over next Monday, but I actually wrote "next month" instead. Oh well, she'll understand that it was just a slip of the pen. Now take your time while writing these test essays—you don't want a few slips of the pen to be the reason you get a lower grade!
See also: of, pen, slip

a slip of the pen

A slip of the pen is something you wrote by mistake. The translator dated his letter `Plymouth 1 June 1618'. This is wrong, and probably a slip of the pen for 11 June.
See also: of, pen, slip

a slip of the ˈtongue/ˈpen

a small mistake when speaking or writing: Did I say North Street? Sorry, that was a slip of the tongue — I meant South Street.
See also: of, pen, slip, tongue
References in periodicals archive ?
LUCKY punter Terry O'Neil won pounds 32,000 after backing the wrong horse with a slip of the pen on his betting slip.
pounds 32k SLIP UP
Editor: Indeed, this was a slip of the pen. It should have been National Catholic Reporter.
From Mrs. Robin H. Rau. (Letters to the Editor)
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