backslide

[bak-slahyd]

backslide Definition

• 1. to return to a previous, often worse, condition or behavior
• 2. to 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

Synonyms for backslide

• relapse
• regress
• retrogress
• revert
• fall back

Antonyms for backslide

• improve
• progress
• advance
• evolve
• develop

Idioms Using backslide

• on the backslide

  in a state of decline or deterioration

  Example

  The company has been on the backslide ever since their CEO resigned.

• backslide into old habits

  to return to one's previous bad habits or vices

  Example

  After years of being clean, he backslid into his old habits and started using drugs again.

• backslide into obscurity

  to return to a state of being unknown or forgotten

  Example

  After his hit song, he released several unsuccessful albums and eventually backslid into obscurity.

Phrases with backslide

• backslide into sin

  to return to sinful behavior after a period of improvement or repentance

  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.

• backslide into poverty

  to return to a state of poverty after a period of financial stability

  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.

• backslide into depression

  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.