Slipping back is a term that can refer to a variety of situations. In the context of crossword solutions, it can be defined as a RELAPSE (7 letters) or a LAPSE (5 letters). A RELAPSE is a return to an undesirable state or behavior after a period of improvement or remission, while a LAPSE is a temporary failure or slip in behavior. Both terms can be used to describe a situation in which someone has regressed or gone back to a previous state.