slide
verb (used without object)
to move along in continuous contact with a smooth or slippery surface.
had been sliding
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past perfect progressiveof slide.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Sales had been sliding for years, the automaker’s relationship with dealers was on the rocks, and the entire organization was reeling from a scandal involving its former chief executive’s arrest and flight from justice.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026
When the public met OpenAI’s ChatGPT in November 2022, Alphabet’s stock had been sliding for a year.
From Barron's ● Jun. 19, 2026
Math and reading scores had been sliding before the pandemic, but the latest results show a precipitous drop that erases earlier gains in the years leading up to 2012.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 20, 2023
Palace had been sliding a bit themselves until they beat Leeds last time out, which was a good game to watch.
From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2022
Lottie had been sliding across the school-room floor, and, having first irritated Lavinia and Jessie by making a noise, had ended by falling down and hurting her fat knee.
From A Little Princess Being the whole story of Sara Crewe now told for the first time by Frances Hodgson Burnett
