slip through one's fingers

1. see let slip, def. 3.

Example Sentences

Being glad to see the Natives there, even with all their belongings, we carefully refrained from finding fault; but the thread of devotion was sometimes apt to slip through one's fingers, especially when the conflict of the owner to silence a baby pig inspired the little wretch to drown everything in a long-sustained and high-pitched scream.

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It’s painful to have fine strong lads like ours slip through one’s fingers.

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We positively must buy this, my dear; for it would be a sin to let such a bargain slip through one's fingers.

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The experience of the eye was doubtless not everything, but it was so much gained, so much saved, in a world in which other treasures were apt to slip through one's fingers; and above all it had the merit that so many things gave it and that nothing could take it away.

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Those ice ledges, you know, slip through one’s fingers like water.

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