Definition

1. Verb:
   • To turn or slide violently or uncontrollably: To move obliquely or sideways, often in a sudden, unplanned, or uncontrolled manner, especially describing a vehicle or object.
   • To pivot or rotate sharply: To change direction abruptly by turning around a central point.

Usage and Examples

• Verb (to move obliquely/uncontrollably):

  • The truck's tires lost traction, causing the rear end to slue wildly on the icy road.
  • He tried to stop the heavy crate from sluing across the wet deck of the ship.

• Verb (to turn sharply/pivot):

  • The pilot slued the aircraft around to face the wind for takeoff.
  • With a hard pull on the rope, they slued the barge toward the dock.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "to slue around": This phrasal verb emphasizes a complete or significant turning motion.
  • The tractor-trailer slued around on the highway, blocking both lanes.
• The word often implies a lack of precise control or a forceful, physical effort to change direction. It is commonly used in contexts involving vehicles, boats, or heavy objects.

Variants and Related Words

• Slew: This is a common variant spelling and past tense of "slue" (e.g., ). It is also a separate noun meaning "a large number or quantity."
• Pivot (verb): To turn on or as if on a central point. (More controlled than ).
• Swivel (verb): To turn around a point or axis. (Implies a smoother, more designed motion).

Synonyms

• Skid: To slide, typically sideways, without rotating.
• Veer: To change direction, especially suddenly.
• Slide: To move smoothly along a surface.
• Yaw: To deviate temporarily from a straight course, especially of a ship or aircraft.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Slue around/round: To turn or rotate, often forcefully.
  • The crane operator slued the load around to position it over the building.

Related Idioms

• While there are no common idioms using "slue" itself, the concept is related to idioms about losing control:
  • "To go into a skid/slide": To start sliding uncontrollably.
  • "To whip around": To turn around very quickly.

Verb

1. move obliquely or sideways, usually in an uncontrolled manner
   • the wheels skidded against the sidewalk
2. turn sharply; change direction abruptly
   • The car cut to the left at the intersection
   • The motorbike veered to the right