grows out of control

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grows out of control" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or phenomenon that becomes unmanageable or excessive. Example: "The weeds in the garden grew out of control, making it difficult to see the flowers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Where forests aren't tended, undergrowth grows out of control and the risk of wildfire increases.

The Washington Post

They would talk about "cutting the grass before it grows out of control", or "pulling the weeds before they overrun the lawn".

The Guardian

The fantasy was Scott Rink's "Sorcerer's Apprentice," which retold the old fairy tale about the novice wizard whose magical broom grows out of control.

The New York Times - Arts

Bahrainis worry that if Sunni-Shiite sectarianism grows out of control, the financial business will again pick up stakes and move to the waiting competitors, Dubai and Qatar.

The New York Times

They are a diverse group, with common names like monkey ladder and water vine, and are not invasive species like kudzu, an Asian native that grows out of control in the southeastern United States.

The New York Times - Science

Then, quite literally, it grows out of control.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"During the [Michael] Bloomberg administration, when the practice grew out-of-control, street stops targeted innocent people.

HuffPost

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

Huffington Post

His successors believe that it grows out of controlling the internet.

The Guardian - Opinion

Weeds were growing out of control.

The New York Times

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

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grows out of control" to describe gradual processes turning unmanageable, rather than sudden events. It is suitable when something progressively exceeds its intended or acceptable limits.

Common error

Avoid using "grows out of control" to describe sudden, instantaneous events. It's more appropriate for describing situations that develop gradually over time, not immediate occurrences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grows out of control" functions primarily as a predicate within a sentence. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use to describe the progressive loss of manageability or containment in various situations, as something gradually exceeds acceptable limits.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grows out of control" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe situations or entities that become unmanageable over time. Ludwig AI classifies it as correct and demonstrates that it is frequently employed in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While synonyms like "spirals out of control" or "gets out of hand" exist, "grows out of control" effectively communicates a gradual loss of control. It is advisable to use it to emphasize a progressive escalation, avoiding its application to instantaneous events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spirals out of control

Implies a rapid and accelerating loss of control, often suggesting a chaotic descent.

gets out of hand

Indicates a situation becoming difficult to manage or handle effectively.

becomes unmanageable

Directly states the inability to manage or control a situation or entity.

runs rampant

Suggests unrestrained and widespread growth or spread.

escalates uncontrollably

Highlights the increasing intensity and lack of control in a situation.

surges beyond control

Emphasizes a sudden and forceful increase that surpasses manageable limits.

becomes chaotic

Focuses on the disorderly and unpredictable nature of a situation.

gets beyond reach

Implies that something is no longer within one's ability to influence or control.

overflows its limits

Indicates exceeding defined boundaries, leading to a loss of control.

crosses the line

Suggests that a boundary was trespassed and the situation became unacceptable.

FAQs

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

It means that something is becoming unmanageable, excessive, or exceeding its intended or acceptable limits. It suggests a gradual process where control is progressively lost.

What can I say instead of "grows out of control"?

You can use alternatives like "spirals out of control", "gets out of hand", or "becomes unmanageable" depending on the context.

Is "grows out of control" formal or informal?

The phrase "grows out of control" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and the specific situation being described.

How can "grows out of control" be used in a sentence?

Example: "If weeds are not removed regularly, they "grows out of control" and overtake the entire garden".