What it means
Someone who’s slippery as an eel is impossible to pin down. They dodge questions, wriggle out of promises, and always have a handy excuse when money or responsibility appears. It paints them as smooth, evasive, and a bit untrustworthy, like an eel shooting out of your hands. Sounds polite, but it’s definitely a dig.
Usage examples
"Did Gaz ever pay you back for that kebab? Nah, he’s slippery as an eel, bangs on about the footy and suddenly he’s vanished."
"My landlord is slippery as an eel, every time I ask about the broken boiler he changes the subject."
"The candidate proved slippery as an eel during the debate, ducking every direct question for an hour."
Where it comes from
Simile attested in English from the 16th century, drawing on the natural fact that eels secrete a thick mucus to deter predators, which makes them legendarily difficult to grip even with both hands. Fishermen and market traders along the Thames used the image first, and Shakespeare reinforced it in print. Modern usage has narrowed to people: politicians, salespeople, the friend who never quite settles a bill.
Other ways to say it
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