grow out of control

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grow out of control" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has increased in size or intensity to a point that is difficult to manage or contain. Example sentence: After the company relaxed its regulations, spending began to grow out of control.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On the other hand, snacking can easily grow out of control and be a source of hundreds of excess calories.

Huffington Post

When these cells become cancerous, they grow out of control.

Harvard University

However, without these regular cycles to regulate population size, nutria numbers quickly grow out of control.

Columbia University

He attacked Congressional Democrats, saying they had allowed spending to grow out of control.

The New York Times

But subsequent governments allowed spending to grow out of control, building up a foreign debt that became impossible to maintain.

The New York Times

"We don't know if the cells will grow out of control or will poop out," Dr. Zaret said.

The New York Times - Health

Line dynamics are nonlinear, that is, they can grow out of control even when the inputs to the system change only a little.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

However, growing B-cells have a tendency to develop mutations that maintain BCL6; the end result is that B-cells grow out of control and transform into lymphomas.

Cornell University

Some of these mutations, known as "drivers," help spur cells to grow out of control, while others ("passengers") are merely along for the ride.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

If the mistake is irreparable and the rogue cell threatens to grow out of control (as happens in cancer), p53 commands the cell to commit suicide.

The Guardian

It will help protect vulnerable people in society from antisocial behaviour, which, if allowed to grow out of control, can cause enormous harm to our communities.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grow out of control", ensure the context clearly indicates what is expanding beyond manageable limits. For instance, "The wildfire threatened to grow out of control due to strong winds."

Common error

Avoid using "grow out of control" when referring to static objects or situations that don't inherently involve expansion. For example, it's more accurate to say a problem "became unmanageable" rather than "grew out of control" if the problem didn't initially start small.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grow out of control" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process where something exceeds manageable limits. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. Examples show its usage across different contexts, emphasizing a state of escalating beyond control.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

23%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grow out of control" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that describes a situation escalating beyond manageable limits. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples across various domains. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse writing contexts, and its primary function is to convey a sense of increasing unmanageability. To ensure clear communication, be precise about what exactly is expanding beyond control when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get out of hand

An idiomatic alternative emphasizing loss of control.

get beyond control

Highlights the state of being impossible to manage.

become unmanageable

Focuses on the loss of manageability rather than the growth aspect.

spiral out of control

Emphasizes a rapid and uncontrolled descent.

escalate uncontrollably

Highlights the uncontrolled increase in intensity.

become rampant

Focuses on widespread and unchecked proliferation.

run amok

Implies chaotic and destructive behavior.

go haywire

Implies a sudden and chaotic malfunction.

exceed all bounds

Stresses the transgression of limits and boundaries.

flare up

Focuses on a sudden burst of activity becoming unmanageable

FAQs

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

You can use "grow out of control" to describe something that is increasing rapidly and becoming difficult to manage. For instance, "The weeds in the garden began to grow out of control after the heavy rains."

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

Some alternatives include "become unmanageable", "get out of hand", or "spiral out of control", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "grow out of control" or "become out of control"?

"Grow out of control" emphasizes the process of expanding beyond control, while "become out of control" simply indicates a state of being unmanageable. The best choice depends on whether you want to highlight the growth aspect.

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

It means that something starts small and manageable but increases so much in size or intensity that it becomes impossible to control or manage effectively.