has spiraled out of control

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has spiraled out of control" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that has become chaotic or unmanageable. Example: "The project started off well, but due to miscommunication and lack of resources, it has spiraled out of control."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

What at first seemed like a minor misunderstanding has spiraled out of control.

Harvard University

It seems as if the neighborhood has spiraled out of control.

The New York Times

"The welfare state here has spiraled out of control," Mr. Olsen said.

The New York Times

But acceptance of street crime is another sign that law-and-order in Karachi has spiraled out of control.

The New York Times

During the last year or so, restaurateurs all over the city say, lying has spiraled out of control.

The New York Times

"The whole business has spiraled out of control, and we need to step back and slow it down".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

I understand the development of modern plastics has played a significant role in medical and scientific advances, but I am choosing to use fewer plastics as my resolution because I think the consumption of single-use plastic items has spiraled out of control--even costing us our personal and environmental health.

Huffington Post

Footballers' pay has spiralled out of control.

The Economist

Homelessness has spiralled out of control.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is a cycle of violence that has spiralled out of control".

The Guardian

It did not and the argument has spiralled out of control ever since.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "has spiraled out of control" to emphasize a rapid and negative progression. For example, "The initial budget concerns quickly has spiraled out of control, leading to significant financial instability."

Common error

Avoid using "has spiraled out of control" when the situation is merely inconvenient or slightly problematic. This phrase is best reserved for instances of significant and escalating issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has spiraled out of control" functions as a verb phrase indicating that a situation or process has rapidly deteriorated and become unmanageable. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

8%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has spiraled out of control" is a commonly used expression to describe a situation that has deteriorated rapidly and become unmanageable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. The phrase is versatile enough for formal and informal writing, serving to express concern about escalating and negative situations. When using this phrase, reserve it for significant issues rather than minor inconveniences to maintain its impact and appropriateness. Alternatives include "has gotten out of hand" or "has become unmanageable", each providing a slightly different nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has gotten out of hand

This alternative suggests that a situation has become difficult to manage, often implying a loss of control.

has gotten beyond control

This indicates that a situation has exceeded the limits of what can be managed or influenced.

has spun out of control

This suggests a rapid and uncontrolled loss of stability or direction.

has become unmanageable

This directly states that a situation is no longer possible to control or handle effectively.

has gone awry

This phrase means that something has deviated from the expected course and has gone wrong.

has run amok

This phrase implies that something is behaving in a wild and uncontrolled manner, often causing damage or disruption.

has become chaotic

This describes a situation filled with complete disorder and confusion.

has escalated rapidly

This suggests a quick and dramatic increase in intensity or seriousness of a situation.

has broken down

This indicates a failure of a system or process, leading to a state of disarray.

has turned into a fiasco

This implies that a situation has developed into a complete and embarrassing failure.

FAQs

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

This phrase indicates that a situation has become unmanageable. For example: "The conflict between the two departments has spiraled out of control, necessitating mediation."

What can I say instead of "has spiraled out of control"?

You can use alternatives like "has gotten out of hand", "has become unmanageable", or "has gone awry" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "has spiraled out of control" in formal writing?

Yes, the phrase is suitable for formal writing, particularly when describing serious situations. However, ensure the tone aligns with the overall formality of the piece.

What's the difference between "has spiraled out of control" and "has escalated"?

"Has escalated" implies a gradual increase in intensity, while "has spiraled out of control" suggests a more rapid and chaotic loss of control. Therefore, while similar, "has escalated" does not necessarily imply a loss of control.