backslide Definition
- 1to return to a previous, often worse, condition or behavior
- 2to relapse into bad habits or vices
Using backslide: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "backslide" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
After quitting smoking for six months, he backslid and started again.
Example
She had been sober for two years before she backslid and started drinking again.
Example
The company's profits have backslid in the last quarter.
Example
He promised not to backslide into his old ways.
backslide Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using backslide
Example
The company has been on the backslide ever since their CEO resigned.
Example
After years of being clean, he backslid into his old habits and started using drugs again.
Example
After his hit song, he released several unsuccessful albums and eventually backslid into obscurity.
Phrases with backslide
Example
After years of living a life of debauchery, he finally found religion and stopped drinking. However, he eventually backslid into sin and started drinking again.
Example
After getting a job and saving up some money, he was finally able to move out of the slums. However, he eventually lost his job and backslid into poverty.
to return to a state of depression after a period of mental stability
Example
After months of therapy and medication, she was finally able to overcome her depression. However, she eventually backslid into depression and had to start treatment again.
Origins of backslide
from 'back' + 'slide', meaning to slide back
Summary: backslide in Brief
'Backslide' [bak-slahyd] means to return to a previous, often worse, condition or behavior, such as relapsing into bad habits or vices. Examples include returning to smoking or drinking after quitting, or a company's profits declining in the last quarter. Phrases like 'backslide into sin' and idioms like 'on the backslide' denote a state of decline or deterioration.
