spin out of control

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spin out of control" is correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to something that was once in a state of control, but is now functioning in an uncontrolled, chaotic manner. For example, you could say: "The bus skidded on the icy road and spun out of control, narrowly missing a nearby tree."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

"But like any behavior it can spin out of control.

The New York Times - Health

Honduras has been deeply divided by the coup and passions could easily spin out of control.

The New York Times

For Chinese leaders, nationalism is always a volatile tool: it can easily spin out of control.

The New Yorker

I signed bipartisan legislation to reform defence procurement so weapons systems don't spin out of control.

The Guardian

The Bush administration must help solve the crisis or risk letting it spin out of control.

The New York Times

It is a last resort because it can spin out of control.

The New York Times

American leadership is necessary to ensure that events in the region don't spin out of control.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"Cultures don't spin out of control people do.

TechCrunch

The Nyāya project threatens to spin out of control.

SEP

Mainly, it threatened to spin out of control..

The Guardian - Books

At no point does it spin out of control, much less venture off-road.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The phrase works effectively for both literal physical objects (like a car or a bicycle) and abstract concepts (like inflation, emotions or political tensions).

Common error

Avoid using the phrase when the situation is merely changing direction without a loss of agency. If a project is simply changing focus, use 'pivot' or 'shift'. Save "spin out of control" for scenarios where the outcome is no longer dictated by the participants.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spin out of control" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it is primarily used to denote a transition from a state of order to a state of chaos. It often serves as a predicate following a subject that represents a complex system, such as an economy, a social movement or a biological process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "spin out of control" is a highly versatile and correct English idiom used to describe the loss of unmanageable situations. Based on data from Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in authoritative news sources like The New York Times and The Guardian to describe everything from market volatility to personal crises. It is grammatically robust and suitable for both professional and informal writing. When using it, remember that it carries a strong connotation of sudden or chaotic decline, making it more intense than simply 'failing' or 'changing'. Alternatives like "spiral out of control" can be used to emphasize a cyclical or compounding effect, but "spin out of control" remains the standard choice for general loss of stability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spiral out of control

emphasizes a continuous and often accelerating decline

slip out of control

suggests a gradual or subtle loss of grip on a situation

get out of hand

suggests a situation has become unmanageable or rowdy

lose all control

a more literal and direct way to state the loss of agency

careen out of control

implies a fast, unsteady and dangerous physical movement

descend into chaos

focuses on the resulting state of total disorder

snowball out of control

describes a situation that grows in size and speed as it progresses

escalate uncontrollably

highlights a rapid increase in intensity or scale

run amok

suggests behaving in a wild or unruly manner

veer off course

implies drifting away from a planned or safe path

FAQs

How to use "spin out of control" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe chaos, such as: "Without proper regulation, market prices can "spin out of control" very quickly."

What can I say instead of "spin out of control"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "spiral out of control", "get out of hand" or "descend into chaos".

What is the difference between "spin out" and "spin out of control"?

While "spin out" is often used in motorsports to describe a vehicle rotating, ""spin out of control"" is broader and more commonly used as a metaphor for any situation becoming chaotic.

Is "spiral out of control" more common than "spin out of control"?

Both are widely used, but "spiral out of control" often implies a self-reinforcing downward trend, whereas "spin out of control" focuses on the sudden loss of stability.