spiral out of control

USAGE SUMMARY

'spiral out of control' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation that is quickly changing for the worse, and getting increasingly out of control. For example: "The stock market has been spiraling out of control since the start of the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even controlled devaluations like the ones announced today can easily spiral out of control.

The New York Times

This could easily spiral out of control".

The Guardian - Business

Overwhelming credit card debt can easily spiral out of control.

Huffington Post

The danger is popular protest and violence can easily spiral out of control.

Huffington Post

On holiday, things spiral out of control.

The Guardian - Tech

Things soon spiral out of control.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Misunderstandings pile on mistakes, and conspiracies spiral out of control.

The Guardian - Books

I didn't think it would spiral out of control.

The Guardian - Music

But what if things really spiral out of control?

The New York Times

But so would letting piracy spiral out of control.

The Guardian

"Sometimes, the symptoms can spiral out of control.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spiral out of control" when you want to convey a sense of rapid and worsening loss of control over a situation. It's particularly effective when describing abstract concepts like debt, political unrest, or market fluctuations.

Common error

While "spiral out of control" is widely used, avoid using it in highly formal or academic writing where a more precise or technical term might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "escalate rapidly" or "become unmanageable" for those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spiral out of control" functions as a verb phrase, often used as a predicate to describe a subject undergoing a rapid and negative transformation. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "spiral out of control" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression that describes a situation rapidly deteriorating and becoming unmanageable. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, and serves to convey concern or alarm. While generally neutral in register, it's best to avoid using it in overly formal or technical settings. Consider alternatives like "get out of hand" or "escalate quickly" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. The high frequency and authoritative sources using the phrase indicate its established presence in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get out of hand

This alternative is a more general expression for losing control.

become unmanageable

This alternative focuses on the difficulty or impossibility of controlling a situation.

descend into chaos

This alternative emphasizes the disorganization and confusion that result from losing control.

go downhill fast

This alternative idiomatically suggests a quick decline.

deteriorate rapidly

This alternative focuses on the swift decline of a situation.

degenerate into

This alternative suggests a decline into a lower or worse state.

escalate quickly

This alternative emphasizes the rapid increase in intensity or severity.

go awry

This alternative is a milder expression for things going wrong or deviating from the intended course.

fall apart

This alternative emphasizes the breakdown or disintegration of something.

run amok

This alternative suggests uncontrolled and often destructive behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "spiral out of control" in a sentence?

You can use "spiral out of control" to describe a situation that is rapidly deteriorating and becoming unmanageable. For example: "The political situation began to spiral out of control after the election results were announced."

What are some alternatives to "spiral out of control"?

You can use alternatives like "get out of hand", "descend into chaos", or "escalate quickly" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "spiraling out of control"?

Yes, "spiraling out of control" is grammatically correct. It's the present participle form and can be used in continuous tenses, for example: "The situation is spiraling out of control."

What's the difference between "spiral out of control" and "get out of hand"?

While both phrases indicate a loss of control, "spiral out of control" often implies a more rapid and dramatic deterioration than "get out of hand". "Get out of hand" is a more general term for something becoming unmanageable.