spiraled out of control

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spiraled out of control" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means that a situation or event has become increasingly chaotic or uncontrollable. Example: The protests began peacefully, but as tensions rose, the situation quickly spiraled out of control, with riots breaking out and buildings being set on fire.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It soon spiraled out of control.

The New York Times

Things quickly spiraled out of control.

The New York Times

The war in Vietnam soon spiraled out of control.

University of California, Berkeley

When I went to college, it spiraled out of control".

The New York Times

Naturally, conditions in Fiume soon spiraled out of control.

The New York Times - Books

Ms. Lentzner realized that she had spiraled out of control.

The New York Times

"And that's when it spiraled out of control".

The New York Times

My daughter's case had spiraled out of control.

The New York Times

Things spiraled out of control for the Aztecs after that.

The New York Times

Click says things spiraled out of control somehow.

The Washington Post

What at first seemed like a minor misunderstanding has spiraled out of control.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spiraled out of control" to vividly describe situations that have rapidly deteriorated and become unmanageable. This phrase is particularly effective in conveying a sense of urgency or alarm.

Common error

Avoid using "spiraled out of control" for minor inconveniences. This phrase implies a significant escalation and loss of control, so reserve it for situations where the consequences are genuinely serious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spiraled out of control" functions as a descriptive idiom. It illustrates how a situation or event has progressively deteriorated, leading to a state of unmanageability. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "spiraled out of control" is a common and correct way to describe situations that have rapidly deteriorated and become unmanageable. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is grammatically sound and widely used. Predominantly featured in news and media, with substantial use in academia and science, its register is considered neutral. While highly effective in conveying urgency and alarm, it is important to reserve its use for genuinely serious situations, avoiding its application to minor inconveniences. Semantically related alternatives include "gotten out of hand" and "escalated rapidly".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Gotten out of control

Highlights a loss of regulation or restraint.

Gotten out of hand

Focuses on the lack of control over a situation.

Escalated rapidly

Emphasizes the speed at which a situation worsened.

Become unmanageable

Highlights the difficulty in handling or controlling the situation.

Turned chaotic

Describes the disorderly and confused state of affairs.

Worsened significantly

Indicates a considerable decline or deterioration in condition.

Fallen into disarray

Focuses on the disorganized state of a situation.

Slipped into chaos

Emphasizes the gradual descent into a state of disorder.

Dissolved into anarchy

Highlights the lack of structure or governing principles.

Run amok

Stresses unrestrained and disruptive behavior.

FAQs

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

You can use "spiraled out of control" to describe a situation that has become increasingly chaotic and unmanageable. For example, "The initial disagreement quickly "spiraled out of control", leading to a full-blown argument."

What's a good alternative to "spiraled out of control"?

Alternatives include "gotten out of hand", "escalated rapidly", or "become unmanageable", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "spiralled out of control" with two 'l's?

While "spiraled" is the more common spelling in American English, "spiralled" is an acceptable variant, especially in British English. Both are grammatically correct; the choice depends on your preferred spelling convention.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "spiraled out of control"?

It is best to avoid this phrase when describing minor issues or inconveniences. "Spiraled out of control" implies a significant degree of chaos and loss of control, so it is more appropriate for serious situations.