滑る

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 滑る (すべる) is a godan verb for physical slipping and, figuratively, failing an examination.
• Basic usage: 足が滑った reports a past physical slip on a wet floor, while 試験に滑っても presents exam failure within a concessive condition.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Subject が and exam target に
  • In 足が滑る, が marks the body part that slips. In 試験に滑る, 試験に identifies the examination failed, not a physical location for slipping.