bring him under control

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bring him under control" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is trying to manage or restrain another person's behavior or actions. Example: "The coach had to bring him under control after his outburst during the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Tilikum, the whale who killed her, ignored slaps in the water and other signals devised to bring him under control.

The New York Times

As with any critic whose strong tastes make him a maverick, occasionally you want to lasso Marcus and bring him under control.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

United Nations officials acknowledged that if a Northern Alliance commander, for instance, refuses to respect the authority of the provisional council, there would be few mechanisms for bringing him under control.

The New York Times

Once someone like Kadyrov has been let loose, could even Putin bring him back under control?

The Guardian

It is therefore thought to be a question of when, rather than if, Pietersen signs a new 12-month deal, which would bring him back under the control of the England management when it comes to thorny issues such as his availability to play in Australia's Big Bash t20 competition this winter, and for Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League next spring.

The Guardian - Sport

We must bring it under control.

The New York Times

Without this, we cannot bring costs under control.

Huffington Post

Mikheil Saakashvili The President of Georgia, whose pledge to bring Georgia's breakaway regions under central control brought him into conflict with Moscow.

Independent

When the guards finally brought Mubenga under control, they dragged him to his seat where he protested that he could not breathe, said the barrister.

The Guardian

The fire took three hours to bring under control.

The New Yorker

The fire took nearly an hour to bring under control.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bring him under control", consider the context and choose a verb that accurately reflects the method of control being used (e.g., 'restrain' for physical control, 'persuade' for influence).

Common error

Avoid using "bring him under control" in highly formal writing, as it can sometimes sound too direct. Instead, consider more nuanced phrases like "manage his behavior" or "influence his actions."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bring him under control" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of regaining or establishing control over someone. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts where external forces or individuals attempt to manage or restrain another person's actions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bring him under control" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for describing the act of managing or restraining someone's behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, careful consideration should be given to the register, particularly in formal settings where more nuanced alternatives might be appropriate. The authoritative sources and expert rating underscore the phrase's validity and consistent usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

control him

Directly states the act of controlling someone.

assert control over him

Emphasizes the act of taking control.

subdue him

Emphasizes overpowering or suppressing someone's actions or resistance.

restrain him

Focuses on physically or morally limiting someone's freedom of action.

get him in line

Suggests enforcing obedience or conformity to rules or expectations.

rein him in

Implies curbing or limiting someone's excessive or impulsive behavior.

bring him to heel

Indicates forcing someone to obey or submit completely.

bring him to order

Focuses on restoring calmness and discipline.

tame him

Suggests civilizing or domesticating someone's wild or unruly nature.

manage him effectively

Highlights the use of leadership skills to guide someones behavior productively.

FAQs

How can I use "bring him under control" in a sentence?

You can use "bring him under control" to describe efforts to manage someone's behavior. For instance, "The coach tried to bring him under control after the player's outburst."

What are some alternatives to "bring him under control"?

Alternatives include "subdue him", "restrain him", or "manage him" depending on the specific context.

Is "bring him under control" formal or informal?

"Bring him under control" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for news reporting and general conversation. However, in highly formal or academic writing, more nuanced alternatives might be preferred.

Which is more appropriate: "bring him under control" or "bring him to order"?

"Bring him under control" and "bring him to order" have overlapping meanings but different focuses. "Bring him under control" implies managing or restraining his behavior, while "bring him to order" suggests restoring discipline or calmness. Choose the phrase that best fits the intended meaning.