slate
(sleɪt )
Word forms: slates , slating , slated
1. uncountable noun [oft NOUN noun]
Slate is a dark-grey rock that can be easily split into thin layers. Slate is often used for covering roofs.
... a stone-built cottage, with a traditional slate roof.
2. countable noun
A slate is one of the small flat pieces of slate that are used for covering roofs.
3. countable noun
A slate is a list of candidates for an election, usually from the same party.
The leadership want to present a single slate of candidates to be approved in an open vote. [+ of]
4. countable noun
A slate of similar things or people is a number of them, often appearing or becoming available at the same time.
The two-hour special could pave the way for a new slate of interactive cultural programming. [NOUN of noun]
Only one or two of the company's slate of 13 directors are likely to stick around. [NOUN of noun]
5. passive verb
If something is slated to happen, it is planned to happen at a particular time or on a particular occasion. [mainly US]
He was slated to become U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. [be VERB-ed to-infinitive]
Controversial energy measures are slated for Senate debate within days. [be VERB-ed + for]
6. verb [usually passive]
If something is slated, it is criticized very severely. [British, journalism]
His new restaurant has been slated by a top food critic. [be VERB-ed]
Slated by critics at the time, the film has since become a cult classic. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: criticize, blast, pan [informal], slam [slang]
7. a clean slate phrase
If you start with a clean slate, you do not take account of previous mistakes or failures and make a fresh start.
The proposal is to pay everything you owe, so that you can start with a clean slate.
8. to wipe the slate clean phrase
If you wipe the slate clean, you decide to forget previous mistakes, failures, or debts and to start again.
Why not wipe the slate clean and start all over again?
Image of slate
© Tyler Boyes, Shutterstock
Idioms:
put something on the slate [British]
to buy something on credit and pay for it later
`Give me another coffee and put it on the slate.'
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
wipe the slate clean
to get rid of an existing system so that you can replace it with a new one
There's a strong desire among the public to wipe the slate clean and to call for early presidential and legislative elections.
to earn enough money to pay off your debts, so that you no longer owe money to anyone
Over a decade he wiped the firm's slate clean of debt and brought it into healthy profit.
to be punished for something wrong that you have done, or to make amends for it by your good behaviour, so that you can start your life again without feeling guilty about it
Serving a prison sentence makes some people believe they have wiped the slate clean.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Collocations:
slate floor
Inside it oozes character, with exposed stone walls, a slate floor and beamed ceilings.
Times, Sunday Times
There was a slate floor with a sheepskin rug, a giant bed and exposed beams.
Times, Sunday Times
Here, traditional slate floor tiles add texture, colour and that all-important big finish to a bedroom wall.
Times, Sunday Times
This room has a practical slate floor, simple cupboards and industrial cooking kit, including two ovens and two dishwashers.
Times, Sunday Times
The kitchen-diner still has the original slate floor, and there are wood-burning stoves both here and in the sitting room.
Times, Sunday Times
Translations:
Chinese: 石板
Japanese: スレート
- house residents
- houseroom
- house room
- house-sit
- Houses of Parliament
- house-to-house
- house to house
- housewares
- housewarming
- house-warming
- housewife
- housework
- house workers
- housing
- housing allowance
- housing association
- housing authority
- housing benefit
- housing block
- housing boom
- housing bubble
- housing charity
- housing complex
- housing construction
- housing crisis