Definition

1. Noun:
   • A mass movement of earth or rock down a slope: A "landslip" is the downward sliding or falling of a significant quantity of soil, rock, or debris from a hillside, mountain, or cliff. It is typically triggered by factors like heavy rain, erosion, or earthquakes, and is synonymous with the more common term "landslide."

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The heavy rains caused a major landslip that blocked the coastal highway.
  • Geologists were called to assess the risk of a further landslip in the area.
  • The old mining activity made the region prone to landslips.

Advanced Usage

• "To trigger a landslip": To cause a landslip to occur.
  • The construction work is feared to trigger a landslip on the unstable hillside.
• "A landslip risk/zone": An area identified as being susceptible to landslips.
  • The village was evacuated as it was located in a high-risk landslip zone.

Variants and Related Words

• Landslide (n): The more frequently used synonym for "landslip."
  • The election result was a landslide victory. (Note: "Landslide" also has a common figurative meaning for an overwhelming victory.)
• Mudslide (n): A specific type of landslip involving a rapid flow of mud and debris.
  • The mudslide destroyed several homes at the base of the hill.
• Rockslide (n): A landslip primarily involving the fall of rocks.
  • The road was closed due to a dangerous rockslide.

Synonyms

• Avalanche: A rapid flow of snow down a slope. (While similar in mechanism, "avalanche" specifically refers to snow and ice.)
• Collapse: A more general term for a structure or mass falling down.
• Subsidence: The gradual sinking or caving in of an area of land, which is different from the sliding motion of a landslip.

Related Phrases

• Slope failure: A technical term encompassing landslips, landslides, and other types of mass wasting.
• Debris flow: A fast-moving, liquefied landslide of loose material, often associated with landslips.

Related Idioms

• While "landslip" itself is not commonly used in idioms, its synonym "landslide" is:
  • "A landslide victory": An overwhelming victory in an election or contest.

    • The candidate won the election in a landslide victory.

Noun

1. a slide of a large mass of dirt and rock down a mountain or cliff