out of panic

USAGE SUMMARY

"out of panic" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a feeling of extreme fear or anxiety that results in a rash or irrational action. For example: "John ran out of the room in a hurry, out of panic, when he heard a loud noise coming from outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Hank Steinbrenner said the Yankees made a mistake by shifting Chamberlain to the bullpen "out of panic or whatever" last season, but Cashman offered a different view.

The New York Times - Sports

It's mostly out of panic.

The New York Times

"Many people are still on the roads out of panic.

The New York Times

"I sold a lot out of panic," he says.

The New York Times

Do we have to, out of panic, do their job for them?

The New York Times

Department stores are expecting to double their takings, with shops in the north of England expected to do best out of "Panic Saturday", according to Worldpay.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

They thought it was a repeat attack, and let out screams of panic until they realised this time it wasn't them.

Independent

"It brings out a lot of panic in people who love it so much, whenever there's a major change or a major development," he said.

The New Yorker

By April 2000, David Fincher was attached to direct over the course of a few months, but dropped out in favor of Panic Room.

Wikipedia

Sometimes, as I patrol the room, I look down and witness a disaster in the making, with lots of crossings-out and moments of panic as a candidate realises they've made a huge cock-up.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A separate federal investigation concluded that Murray's car was reversing in an attempt to escape the officers and that the officers fired "out of fear and panic".

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "out of panic" to clearly convey that an action was not well-considered but rather a reaction to intense fear. Ensure the context makes it clear what caused the panic.

Common error

Avoid using "out of panic" when the action was actually a calculated response to a threat. "Panic" suggests irrationality, while "caution" implies careful consideration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of panic" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the reason or motivation behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms it follows grammar rules, as shown in many examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "out of panic" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe actions or decisions motivated by intense fear or anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, to explain irrational behavior in response to perceived threats or crises. Related phrases include "due to fear" and "in desperation", offering nuanced alternatives depending on the specific emotional intensity. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies the source of panic and that the described actions align with a state of irrational fear rather than a cautious assessment. Avoid using it if the action was in fact the result of caution rather than emotional behavior. The phrase is versatile and can be incorporated into a variety of registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

due to fear

Replaces "panic" with a more general term "fear", simplifying the emotional intensity.

driven by anxiety

Substitutes "panic" with "anxiety", focusing on the underlying anxious state.

in a frenzy

Highlights the chaotic and uncontrolled nature of actions taken.

in desperation

Emphasizes the hopelessness and urgency driving the actions.

in a state of alarm

Focuses on the feeling of being alerted to danger.

reacting to terror

Highlights the overwhelming fear as a trigger for action.

spurred by fright

Uses "fright" to denote a sudden and intense fear response.

prompted by apprehension

Emphasizes a sense of worry or unease that motivates action.

compelled by trepidation

Highlights the anxiety or fear that something unpleasant might happen.

under duress

Focuses on the stressful conditions that influence decision-making, not necessarily panic.

FAQs

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

Use "out of panic" to describe actions or decisions made quickly and irrationally due to intense fear. For example: "The investor sold all their stocks "out of panic" when the market crashed."

What are some alternatives to saying "out of panic"?

You can use phrases like "due to fear", "driven by anxiety", or "in desperation" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "from panic" instead of "out of panic"?

While "from panic" might be understood, ""out of panic"" is the more common and grammatically standard way to express that something was done as a result of panic.

What's the difference between "out of panic" and "in a panic"?

"Out of panic" describes the motivation behind an action, while "in a panic" describes the state of being. For instance, someone might act "out of panic" while they are "in a panic".