nearly lost control

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly lost control" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone almost lost their ability to manage or handle a situation, often due to strong emotions or external pressures. Example: "During the intense argument, I nearly lost control of my temper and shouted at him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

I was driving fast and nearly lost control of the car, even before I reached Derry.

The Guardian

For a day or so it was satisfying to watch as the producers nearly lost control of their show.

The New York Times

Opposition in the House softened this year, after Republicans nearly lost control of the House in last November's elections.

The Washington Post

In a surprising about-face, the House supported expansion this year after Republicans nearly lost control of the chamber after the November elections.

The Washington Post

He nearly lost control of the plane and definitely lost sight of the runway, Elkabetz recalled in an interview with Forbes.

TechCrunch

And then, slowly, the Trojans nearly lost control.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The two even bumped early in the race, Kenseth nearly losing control.

The New York Times - Sports

All the young men began chanting with triumph, shouting "Allahu akbar!" The bearded fighter began grappling with his AK-47; trying to loose a couple of shots in celebration, nearly losing control of the weapon.

The New Yorker

The bump, which shoved Hamlin to the outside of the track with only 15 laps left, was the culmination of a heated battle between Johnson and Hamlin and caused both men to nearly lose control of their racecars.

The New York Times - Sports

Using the stolen power within her, Jade is able to defeat the DomZ High Priest, though nearly losing control of her soul in the process, and then revive and rescue those that have been abducted.

Wikipedia

I have no idea that months later, while questioning the "world's greatest sportswriter," he will nearly lose control of the vehicle we are riding in and, only partly in jest, accuse me of trying to ruin him.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearly lost control" to describe situations where a loss of control was imminent but ultimately avoided. This adds tension and emphasizes the precariousness of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly lost control" when describing situations where control was actually lost. Use "lost control" instead. For example, don't say "He nearly lost control and crashed"; instead, say "He lost control and crashed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly lost control" functions as a descriptive phrase, often modifying a subject to indicate a close call or near miss. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. Examples show it describing near-accidents, emotional states, and political situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nearly lost control" is a versatile phrase used to describe situations where a loss of control was imminent but avoided. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use in various contexts, primarily News & Media. While usable across registers, it's essential to distinguish between "nearly lost control" and "lost control", using the former only when control was ultimately regained or maintained. Alternative phrases like "almost spun out" or "narrowly avoided a mishap" can provide nuanced ways to express the same idea. Understanding these distinctions and alternatives will enhance your writing clarity and precision when conveying near-miss scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost spun out

Focuses on the imminence of a spin, specifically in the context of driving.

almost crashed

Emphasizes the near occurrence of a collision or accident.

came close to crashing

Highlights the proximity to a crash, implying a narrow escape.

nearly went off the rails

Suggests a situation that almost became chaotic or unmanageable.

narrowly avoided a mishap

Highlights the successful evasion of an unfortunate event.

came close to losing it

Indicates a near loss of emotional composure or mental stability.

almost went under

Suggests nearly succumbing to a problem, perhaps financial or emotional.

came within inches of disaster

Emphasizes the very small margin by which disaster was avoided.

barely managed to keep it together

Emphasizes the difficulty in maintaining control.

almost lost it

A more informal way of saying someone nearly lost their composure or temper.

FAQs

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

You can use "nearly lost control" to describe a situation where someone almost lost the ability to manage something, such as "The car /s/almost+spun+out on the ice, and I "nearly lost control"".

What does it mean to say someone "nearly lost control"?

Saying someone "nearly lost control" means that they came very close to being unable to manage a situation, their emotions, or a vehicle, but ultimately regained or maintained control. It implies a precarious situation where a negative outcome was narrowly avoided.

Which is more appropriate: "nearly lost control" or "lost control"?

The appropriate phrase depends on the outcome. Use "lost control" when the subject actually relinquished control. Use "nearly lost control" when the subject managed to regain or maintain control after almost losing it.

What are some alternatives to saying "nearly lost control"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "almost spun out" (if driving), "narrowly avoided a mishap", or "came close to losing it" (if referring to emotional control).