[Idiom] Slip one’s mind

[learning101]

Hi all,
I was wondering whether I used the phrase correctly in my context.
” The fact that the fish was still sitting in the wok slipped her mind’
the story was about a woman talking over the phone n had forgotten about the fish that was still in the wok.
kindly advise and thank you.

 

[Raymott]

Yes, that's OK. I'm not sure about a fish sitting, but it's not wrong.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Hi all,
I was wondering whether I used the phrase correctly in my context.
”[no space]The fact that the fish was still sitting in the wok slipped her mind."
The story was about a woman talking on the phone and forgetting about the fish that was still in the wok.
Kindly advise. Thank you.

Yes, you used the phrase exactly right.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Yes, that's OK. I'm not sure about a fish sitting, but it's not wrong.

In parts of the US we say "setting," but in most of the US, "sitting" is exactly what a fish in a pan does. (Assuming it's dead.)

 

[Raymott]

As long as the fish isn't laying there, it's OK in AusE.

 

[learning101]

Hi,
Thank you all for your help. what if I change the sentence into this:
"She was so engrossed in the talk that the fish (was )still sitting in the work slipped her mind."
Is the word "was " necessary in the context?
Thank you.

 

[tedmc]

"Sitting in the wok" is a participial phrase which modifies "fish". You cannot have the "was" there.