got carried away

USAGE SUMMARY

'got carried away' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone being overly enthusiastic or emotionally swept up in a situation. For example: Julia got carried away by the impressive fireworks show and started singing along with the music.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I got carried away.

Yale University

Got carried away.

Independent

Nothing got carried away".

The New York Times - Sports

Karen got carried away.

The Guardian - Books

"I got carried away and Jon got carried away".

The Guardian - Sport

He just got carried away".

The New York Times

"We never got carried away".

The New York Times

We just kind of got carried away?

The New Yorker

I got carried away, I fear.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Everybody gets carried away.

Independent

Don't get carried away".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "got carried away" to express that someone lost control or exceeded reasonable limits due to excitement or strong emotions. It's often followed by an explanation or apology.

Common error

Avoid using "got carried away" in situations that involve deliberate actions or calculated decisions. The phrase implies a lack of control, so it's inappropriate if the action was intentional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got carried away" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It typically describes a situation where someone loses self-control or exceeds reasonable limits due to strong emotions or excitement. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

7%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "got carried away" is a common idiomatic phrase used to describe a loss of control or exceeding reasonable limits due to strong emotions or excitement. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and frequent usage in News & Media and academic contexts. Related phrases include "became excessive" and "lost control". When writing, remember that this phrase is most effective when explaining unintentional actions. With its versatility and wide acceptance, "got carried away" remains a valuable expression in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

went overboard

Suggests exceeding reasonable limits or boundaries.

lost control

Highlights the inability to manage or restrain one's actions or emotions.

became overzealous

Emphasizes excessive enthusiasm and eagerness.

became excessive

Focuses on the action becoming too much, implying a lack of restraint.

became unrestrained

Highlights the lack of control and the freedom to act without limitations.

was swept away

Highlights the feeling of being overwhelmed by emotions or circumstances.

became too involved

Focuses on excessive participation or engagement.

got ahead of oneself

Implies acting prematurely or presumptuously.

indulged excessively

Highlights the act of giving in too much to a particular desire or activity.

exaggerated matters

Emphasizes inflating or overstating the details of a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "got carried away" in a sentence?

You can use "got carried away" to indicate that someone lost control or exceeded reasonable limits due to excitement or strong emotions. For example, "I "got carried away" while shopping and spent more than I intended."

What's a more formal way to say "got carried away"?

While "got carried away" is suitable for most contexts, more formal alternatives include "became excessive", "lost control", or "went overboard", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "gotten carried away"?

While "got" is the past participle of "get" in British English, "gotten" is its American English equivalent. Therefore, "gotten carried away" is correct in American English, while ""got carried away"" is more common in British English.

What does it mean to "get carried away"?

To "get carried away" means to become so involved in something that you lose control of your behavior or actions, often leading to unintended consequences.