go out of control

USAGE SUMMARY

"go out of control" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe an evolving situation that is becoming increasingly chaotic or unmanageable. For example: "The crowd quickly went out of control after the announcement of the concert's cancellation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mine is a personal story that showed me why and how health care costs can easily go out of control.

The New York Times - Health

Modern science and technology have advanced so much that the new means of war can easily go out of control.

Huffington Post

You don't want to make your game go out of control.

WikiHow

Occasionally, controlled burns go out of control, like the infamous prescribed burn that incinerated 43,000 acres and parts of Los Alamos, N.M., a year ago this week.

The New York Times

You're going to see healthcare go out of control.

The Guardian

"Like watching a reactor go out of control".

Independent

This is especially designed for destruction, and if used this energy would go out of control.

The New York Times

Yet no one looked hysterical; no one threatened to go out of control.

The New York Times - Arts

"I have fears that things will go out of control in the street," he said.

The New York Times

The accident happened just before 10 p.m. when the car, traveling north, seemed to go out of control.

The New York Times

Ahmed Yousuf warned me, "If there's not a solution in the near future, things will go out of control.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "go out of control", ensure the context clearly indicates what is losing control. Specify the subject (e.g., 'the fire went out of control') for clarity.

Common error

While "go out of control" is widely understood, avoid using it excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated vocabulary to convey the same meaning, such as "become unmanageable" or "exceed acceptable limits".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go out of control" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a predicate to describe a subject that is losing or has lost the ability to be managed or regulated. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "go out of control" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe situations, objects, or people that are no longer manageable or regulated. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media. While appropriate for general communication, more formal contexts may benefit from more precise alternatives like "become unmanageable" or "exceed acceptable limits". Be mindful to clearly define the subject losing control for better clarity. Overall, the phrase is a reliable way to convey a loss of control across various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lose control

Simply states the absence of control without specifying the process of losing it.

become unmanageable

Focuses on the difficulty in managing or handling a situation, entity or person.

get out of hand

Emphasizes a situation escalating beyond the ability to control it.

spiral out of control

Highlights a rapid and accelerating loss of control, often with negative consequences.

descend into chaos

Implies a complete breakdown of order and structure, leading to a state of confusion.

get away from you

Indicates a gradual loss of control that one may not have initially noticed.

run amok

Suggests unrestrained and often destructive behavior.

exceed all limits

Suggests that something has surpassed acceptable boundaries and can no longer be contained.

fly off the handle

Focuses on a sudden and emotional loss of control.

break loose

Implies a forceful escape from restraint or control.

FAQs

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

You can use "go out of control" to describe situations or things that are no longer manageable or are escalating rapidly. For example, "The protests threatened to "get out of hand" and "go out of control"."

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "become unmanageable", ""get out of hand"", or "spiral out of control".

Is "go out of control" formal or informal?

"Go out of control" is generally considered neutral in tone. While acceptable in news and general writing, more formal contexts may benefit from alternatives like "exceed acceptable limits" or "become unmanageable".

What does it mean when something "goes out of control"?

When something "goes out of control", it means it has become impossible to manage or regulate, often leading to unintended or undesirable consequences.