Lose restraint

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Lose restraint" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone is no longer controlling their impulses or behavior. Example: "During the heated argument, he seemed to lose restraint and shouted at everyone in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Even some mainstream marketers have been known to lose restraint when it comes to e-mail advertising.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The defence is only allowed if the conduct provoking the cause of the loss of control was "extremely grave", gave the defendant "a justifiable sense of being seriously wronged" and would have made someone with "a normal degree of tolerance and self-restraint" lose control and kill as well.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Hussein, for example, may lose whatever restraint he felt against using the most lethal of his weapons.

The New York Times

Ms. Pelosi, a senior member of the intelligence committee, pointed to a C.I.A. letter declassified this week that judged that Mr. Hussein was not likely to use his weapons against the United States but could lose his restraint if faced with an American-led force.

The New York Times

It'd be a shame to live like that, so lose the restraint!

WikiHow

This was a case where you just lost control of normal restraint".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She starts out by buying modestly, but soon loses her restraint and ends up by spending $12.90.

The New Yorker

I had it now, I felt it now, and, beginning to drive, he soon gave nature such a powerful summons down to her favourite quarters, that she could no longer refuse repairing thither; all my animal spirits then rush'd mechanically to that centre of attraction, and presently, inly warmed, and stirr'd as I was beyond bearing, I lost all restraint.

The Guardian - Opinion

Always sharp-tongued, Luther now lost all restraint, writing in a treatise that Pope Paul III was a sodomite and a transvestite — no surprise, he added, when you considered that all popes, since the beginnings of the Church, were full of devils and vomited and farted and defecated devils.

The New Yorker

Zi Lu, indignant, saw Kongzi and asked, 'Is it right that even the superior man should be reduced to poverty?' The Master replied, 'A superior man remains steadfast in the face of poverty; the small man, when impoverished, loses all restraint'" (Lunyu 15.2).

SEP

Inside, he looks for anything that might be broken, rips in the upholstery, cigarette burns, missing safety belts or lost head restraints.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lose restraint" when you want to convey that someone has stopped controlling their emotions or actions, often in a situation of stress or temptation. For example, "He lost restraint and began to yell during the argument".

Common error

Avoid using "lose restraint" when the situation involves a minor lapse in judgment. The phrase suggests a significant abandonment of control, not just a small mistake.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lose restraint" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It indicates a state change where an individual ceases to exercise control over their emotions, impulses, or behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

11%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lose restraint" is a grammatically sound verb phrase that signifies a cessation of self-control. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it is suitable for use in written English, particularly in news and media contexts. While it is not very common, the phrase effectively conveys the idea of abandoning self-regulation, and can be replaced with alternatives such as "abandon self-control" or "let go of control". When employing the phrase, it is best to reserve it for situations where the abandonment of control is significant, avoiding its use for minor lapses in judgment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abandon self-control

This alternative emphasizes the deliberate act of giving up control over oneself.

let go of control

This implies a conscious decision to release one's hold on a situation or oneself.

relinquish one's inhibitions

This suggests a freeing from internal restrictions and social anxieties.

succumb to impulse

This highlights the power of sudden desires overpowering reason.

cast off limitations

This suggests a conscious rejection of boundaries and constraints.

fall into excess

This depicts a situation where boundaries are surpassed.

give way to temptation

This focuses on surrendering to a specific alluring desire.

break free from restrictions

This emphasizes escaping externally imposed rules or limitations.

become uninhibited

This describes a state of being without the usual social or personal constraints.

exceed normal boundaries

This alternative highlights surpassing the ordinary limits.

FAQs

What does it mean to "lose restraint"?

To "lose restraint" means to no longer control your emotions, impulses, or behavior. It suggests a departure from a state of self-control.

What can I say instead of "lose restraint"?

You can use alternatives like "abandon self-control", "relinquish one's inhibitions", or "let go of control" depending on the context.

How do you use "lose restraint" in a sentence?

Example: "Facing constant provocations, the politician began to lose restraint during the debate."

What is the difference between "lose restraint" and "show restraint"?

"Lose restraint" implies a failure to control oneself, while "show restraint" indicates that one is actively controlling their emotions or actions. They are opposites.