slippery slope

American  

noun

1. a dangerous and irreversible course.

   the slippery slope from narcotics to prison.

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slippery slope Idioms  

1. A dangerous course, one that leads easily to catastrophe, as in He's on a slippery slope, compromising his values to please both the bosses and the union. This metaphoric expression alludes to traversing a slick hillside, in constant danger of falling. [Mid-1900s]

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Etymology

Origin of slippery slope

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

Workers say that could be the first step down a slippery slope that leads to layoffs and damage to patient health.

From Los Angeles Times

“That is a slippery slope of theming that can go wrong really fast,” she adds.

From Los Angeles Times

Understandably, GM CEO Mary Barra said Tuesday External link that Carney’s move was “a very slippery slope.”

From Barron's

“It becomes a very slippery slope.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Changing the messaging on safe sleep would be a “slippery slope,” said Deanne Tilton Durfee, executive director of the Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect, which runs L.A.

From Los Angeles Times