其中:
let...slip 是“让……溜走/流失”的固定搭配(slip 本义为“滑落、溜走”);
opportunity 指“机会、机遇”(可替换为 chance,含义一致)。
该短语常与介词搭配,强化“错失”的具体情境:
1、 let an opportunity slip away:强调机会“渐渐溜走”(away 表“离开”);
2、 let an opportunity slip through one's fingers/hands:更形象,像“手滑让东西掉了”,突出“近在咫尺却没抓住”;
3、 let an opportunity slip by:强调机会“擦肩而过”(by 表“经过”)。
该短语是及物动词短语,主语通常是人,宾语是“opportunity/chance”,可接介词短语补充细节。
过去时:描述“已经错失”的机会(regret/惋惜语境);
现在时/祈使句:用于建议“别错过”当前/未来的机会;
动名词形式:作主语或宾语(如 regret letting...)。
1、 过去时(已错失):
I let the job opportunity slip because I was too scared to apply.
(我因为不敢申请而错失了那份工作机会。)
She regretted letting the scholarship opportunity slip through her fingers.
(她后悔让奖学金机会从指缝间溜走了。)
2、 祈使句(建议别错过):
Don't let this once-in-a-lifetime chance slip away—book your ticket now!
(别让这个千载难逢的机会溜走——现在就订票!)
Don't let the opportunity to study abroad slip by—you'll regret it.
(别错过出国留学的机会——你会后悔的。)
3、 动名词作宾语:
He still blames himself for letting the promotion opportunity slip.
(他仍因错失晋升机会而自责。)
miss an opportunity:更通用,强调“没抓住”(不一定是“让它溜走”);
lose an opportunity:强调“失去”(可能因外力或自身原因);
let...slip:更侧重“主动/被动地让机会溜走”(隐含“本可以抓住但没行动”的意味)。
总结:这个短语是表达“错失机会”的生动说法,尤其适合描述因自身疏忽、犹豫导致的遗憾,日常口语和书面语中都很常用~