out of hand

USAGE SUMMARY

"out of hand" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom that means “immediately; without delay.” For example, you could say, "I took care of the problem out of hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is seriously getting out of hand.

TechCrunch

"It got very out of hand".

Huffington Post

"It got out of hand.

The New Yorker

It was out of hand".

The New York Times

He dismissed it out of hand.

The New York Times

Sometimes, they get out of hand.

The Economist

The price rise gets out of hand.

The Economist

This is really getting out of hand.

Independent

Then, things got out of hand.

The New York Times

"And then it got out of hand".

The New York Times - Sports

Were things getting that out of hand?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "out of hand" to describe situations that have become unmanageable or proposals that are quickly dismissed. For instance, "The party got out of hand" or "The suggestion was dismissed out of hand."

Common error

Avoid using "out of hand" for situations that are merely difficult but not entirely uncontrollable. The phrase implies a significant loss of control or an immediate rejection, not just general difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of hand" functions as an adverbial phrase when it modifies a verb, indicating the manner in which an action is performed (e.g., dismissed "out of hand"). It can also function as an adjective phrase to describe a state of being beyond control, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "out of hand" is a versatile idiom used to describe situations spiraling beyond control or actions dismissed immediately. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, particularly in news and media. When writing, remember that "out of hand" signifies a substantial loss of control or a rejection made without thought. Consider using alternatives like "uncontrolled" or "immediately dismissed" to add nuance to your writing. Avoid using it for merely difficult situations. The idiom's prevalence in authoritative sources underscores its validity and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beyond control

Highlights that the situation has exceeded manageable limits.

uncontrolled

Focuses on the lack of control.

unmanageable

Emphasizes the difficulty in managing the situation.

spiraling out of control

Suggests a rapid and worsening loss of control.

escalating rapidly

Highlights the speed at which the situation is becoming unmanageable.

summarily rejected

Indicates a rejection without further consideration.

immediately dismissed

Focuses on the quick rejection of an idea.

flatly rejected

Indicates a direct and firm rejection.

getting worse

Simple way to express that the situation is worsening

rejected without consideration

Highlights the lack of thought given before rejection.

FAQs

How can I use "out of hand" in a sentence?

You can use "out of hand" to describe a situation that has become uncontrollable, such as, "The protest got "out of hand" and the police were called". It can also describe a quick rejection: "The proposal was dismissed "out of hand"".

What does "out of hand" mean?

The phrase "out of hand" has two main meanings. First, it can mean that a situation is no longer under control. Second, it can mean something is dismissed immediately and without consideration.

What are some synonyms for "out of hand" when referring to something uncontrollable?

When "out of hand" refers to something uncontrollable, you can use synonyms like "uncontrolled", "unmanageable", or "beyond control".

Is it correct to say "absolutely out of hand"?

Yes, saying "absolutely out of hand" is correct. It emphasizes the extent to which something is out of control or immediately dismissed.