gets out of control

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'gets out of control' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that a situation is becoming chaotic or unmanageable. For example: "The party got out of control and the police were called."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Until the mania gets out of control, he or she can be extremely productive and wonderful company.

Harvard University

War inevitably gets out of control.

The New Yorker

It just gets out of control.

Cornell University

But in bulimia the process gets out of control.

Independent

"Kind of like when your credit gets out of control".

The New York Times

If it gets out of control, it might well be.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sepsis is when the body's response to a serious infection gets out of control.

Harvard University

"You have to keep after it or else it gets out of control," Seibel said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It is important to intervene before the situation gets out of control.

The Guardian

"When the position gets out of control, he can be out-calculated.

The New Yorker

If the situation gets out of control, everything I own is at risk.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gets out of control" to describe situations where there's a clear loss of management or regulation, whether it's a project, a personal habit, or even a physical phenomenon like a fire.

Common error

Avoid using "gets out of control" in highly formal or scientific writing where more precise or technical language is preferred. Instead, opt for phrases like 'exceeds manageable limits' or 'becomes dysregulated'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gets out of control" functions as a predicate in sentences, describing a state change where something transitions from being managed or contained to being unmanageable. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English. Examples in Ludwig show its use in diverse scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gets out of control" is a common and correct expression used to describe situations that are becoming unmanageable or chaotic. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, showcasing its usage across diverse contexts ranging from news reports to academic papers. While versatile, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives in scientific or professional writing to maintain precision. Remember that while widely used, it's crucial to choose the most fitting phrase to accurately convey the intended meaning and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

getting out of control

Indicates the process of losing control is currently happening.

got out of control

Refers to a past instance where control was lost.

going out of control

A continuous form, suggesting that loss of control is imminent or currently unfolding.

spirals out of control

Highlights the rapid and worsening nature of the situation as it loses control.

escalates out of control

Suggests a gradual worsening of the situation, implying a step-by-step progression towards uncontrollability.

go out of control

Suggests a potential future loss of control, often used in conditional statements.

come out of control

Similar to "go out of control", implying a future state of lacking control.

everything out of control

Implies a state of complete chaos where multiple aspects are no longer manageable.

gets runaway

Emphasizes the uncontrolled and accelerating nature of the situation.

strange out of control

Adds a layer of weirdness or unusualness to the situation that is spiraling.

FAQs

How can I use "gets out of control" in a sentence?

You can use "gets out of control" to describe a situation spiraling into chaos, like, "The party "gets out of control" late at night", or when a system is no longer manageable, for example, "If spending isn't monitored, it "gets out of control" quickly".

What are some alternatives to "gets out of control"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "spirals out of control", "becomes unmanageable", "escalates out of control", or "goes haywire".

Is it more appropriate to say "gets out of hand" or "gets out of control"?

Both "gets out of hand" and "gets out of control" are correct and often interchangeable, but "gets out of hand" usually refers to situations involving behavior or actions, while "gets out of control" can apply to broader scenarios, including systems or processes.

What does it mean when someone says something "got out of control"?

When someone says something "got out of control", it means the situation or event became unmanageable, chaotic, or exceeded its intended boundaries. For instance, a budget "gets out of control" when expenses exceed income.