lost control

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost control" is correct and usable in written English.
It is commonly used to describe a lack of self-control or restraint, or to indicate that a person or situation is spinning out of control. For example, "The crowd soon became chaotic as people lost control of their emotions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I just lost control".

The New Yorker

Then she lost control.

The New Yorker

He has lost control.

The New York Times - Sports

Then Valencia lost control.

The Guardian - Sport

We lost control".

The New York Times

"I lost control".

The New York Times

"We lost control," he conceded.

The New York Times

But Alexios eventually lost control.

The New York Times

That's when I lost control.

The New York Times - Magazine

He lost control.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I was losing control.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about emotional states, use "lost control" to emphasize a sudden or temporary lapse in self-regulation. For example, "He rarely yelled, but when he lost control, everyone listened."

Common error

Avoid using "lost control" when you mean a general inability to manage something. "Lack of control" is more appropriate for ongoing or inherent deficiencies, whereas "lost control" suggests a change from a previous state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost control" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It describes a past action where someone or something ceased to be managed or directed. Ludwig's examples show it applying to individuals, vehicles, and abstract situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lost control" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe a past action where management or direction has ceased. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it conveys a change in state, often implying negative consequences. When using "lost control", remember to distinguish it from "lack of control" and choose appropriate synonyms like "spun out of control" based on the intended meaning. It is important to prevent writers from confusing "lost control" with "lack of control". "Lack of control" is more appropriate for ongoing or inherent deficiencies, whereas "lost control" suggests a change from a previous state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spun out of control

Describes a situation or process that has become unmanageable and chaotic.

became unmanageable

Highlights the difficulty in directing or overseeing something or someone.

lacked restraint

Focuses on the absence of self-control, particularly in emotional or behavioral contexts.

failed to contain

Implies an inability to limit or restrain something, such as a fire or a crowd.

relinquished command

Indicates a formal or deliberate abandonment of authority or position.

became chaotic

Emphasizes the disorder and lack of organization resulting from a loss of control.

went berserk

Implies a sudden and violent loss of control, often associated with anger or frenzy.

succumbed to impulse

Highlights yielding to sudden urges or desires, often against better judgment.

abdicated authority

Suggests a formal renunciation of power or responsibility.

proved ungovernable

Indicates a fundamental resistance to being ruled or directed.

FAQs

How can I use "lost control" in a sentence?

You can use "lost control" to describe losing command of a situation, for example, "The driver "lost control" on the icy road". Or, it can describe a person's emotional state, as in "She "lost control" of her temper".

What's a good substitute for "lost control"?

Depending on the context, consider using alternatives such as "spun out of control" (for situations), "lacked restraint" (for behavior), or "became unmanageable" (for entities or situations).

Is it correct to say "loss of control" instead of "lost control"?

"Loss of control" is a noun phrase referring to the state of no longer having control, while ""lost control"" is a verb phrase describing the action of losing control. Both are correct, but they function differently in a sentence.

What's the difference between "lost control" and "out of control"?

"Lost control" describes the action of losing control, while "out of control" describes the state of being beyond control. For example, "The situation became out of control after the protesters lost control".