skid

Everyday

1. To skid is to slide sideways or forwards out of control, especially on ice, water or a smooth surface. tree →
2. A skid is a sliding movement like that. tree →
3. (often skids) Skids are strips of wood or metal under a heavy load or helicopter, used to slide or rest it on. tree →
4. (informal) On the skids means going badly, heading for failure. tree →

In the lessons

In science and safety lessons skidding happens when there is too little friction, so cars, bikes and people slide on ice or wet roads. That is why drivers slow down and why there are anti-skid road surfaces. Phrases: skid mark, skid to a halt, go into a skid, skid row (US, a poor rundown area).

Examples

• The car skidded on the icy road. tree →
• I skidded on the wet floor and nearly fell. tree →
• The bike went into a skid on the gravel. tree →
• The cyclist skidded to a halt at the red light. tree →
• Tyres with deep treads help stop skids. tree →
• The helicopter landed on its metal skids. tree →
• (informal) His football team has been on the skids all season. tree →

Note

Double the d: skidded, skidding. In science, a skid shows low friction: ice and water reduce friction; sand and grit increase it. «Skid marks» are the black lines tyres leave on a road.