verb

entgleiten

slip away

Etwas geht aus der Hand oder Kontrolle weg, oft langsam oder unbemerkt.

Definition & meaning

The verb entgleiten primarily means to slip or slide out of someone's hands or grasp. It describes an involuntary movement where an object moves away from a person's physical control because it is slippery or because the grip is not firm enough.

In a figurative sense, it means to lose control over a situation, a person, or a development. For example, if a situation is "entgleiten," it is becoming unmanageable or chaotic. It can also be used in the context of time, where hours or days seem to "entgleiten" because one cannot hold onto them or use them effectively. Additionally, it can describe facial expressions or emotions that a person can no longer hide or control, such as when someone's features "entgleiten" due to shock or disappointment.

Grammar & Word origin

The word is a strong verb (entgleiten - entglitt - ist entglitten). It is an intransitive verb that always takes the auxiliary verb sein in the perfect tense. It usually requires a dative object to indicate who is losing the object or the control.

The word is composed of two parts:

The prefix ent-, which in German often indicates a separation, removal, or an escape from a certain state or place.
The verb gleiten, which means to glide, slide, or move smoothly.

Together, they describe the act of "gliding away" from someone's possession or influence.