things get out of control

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things get out of control" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that has become chaotic or unmanageable. Example: "At the party, things got out of control when too many people showed up and the music was turned up too loud."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

It's funny how things get out of control.

The New York Times

The danger comes if things get out of control.

The Guardian - Business

If they lose their ability to function, things get out of control.

Stanford University

Things get out of control when you have a death, a divorce or a marriage.

The New York Times

"Europe realizes that something bigger needs to be done before things get out of control".

The New York Times

The army has warned it may intervene if things get out of control.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Then she got angry when things got out of control.

The New Yorker

He said Mr. Hayes just repeated, twice: "Things got out of control".

The New York Times

"But we had a couple of instances where things got out of control," he said.

The New York Times

He met with frustration again, perhaps, and things got out of control.

The New Yorker

"Suleimani wanted to bleed the Americans, so he invited in the jihadis, and things got out of control".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "things get out of control", ensure the context clearly establishes what "things" refers to. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "things get out of control" in highly formal or professional documents. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "the situation became unmanageable" or "circumstances deteriorated" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things get out of control" functions as a declarative statement to describe a situation that has become unmanageable. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It suggests a state where order or control has been lost.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "things get out of control" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe a situation that has become unmanageable or chaotic. Ludwig confirms its validity. While widely accepted, its register is generally neutral, suggesting that more formal alternatives may be preferable in highly professional or academic contexts. To ensure clarity, always specify what "things" refers to, and consider using alternatives like "situations escalate" or "things spiral out of control" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

things spiral out of control

Replaces 'get' with 'spiral', emphasizing a rapid and accelerating loss of control.

things become unmanageable

Substitutes 'get out of control' with 'become unmanageable', focusing on the lack of manageability.

situations escalate

Replaces the entire phrase with a verb emphasizing the increasing intensity and loss of control.

chaos ensues

Transforms the phrase into a more concise statement where chaos is the consequence.

order breaks down

Focuses on the breakdown of order, implying a loss of control.

things go haywire

Uses a more informal expression to convey a situation going wrong and becoming uncontrollable.

events take a turn for the worse

Indicates a negative change and a potential loss of control over events.

the situation deteriorates

Highlights the worsening of a situation, suggesting a decline in control.

things fall apart

Emphasizes disintegration and lack of cohesion, implying a loss of control.

the situation is untenable

Focuses on the unsustainability of a situation, implying that control has been lost.

FAQs

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

You can use "things get out of control" to describe a situation that is no longer manageable or has become chaotic. For example: "At the party, "things get out of control" when too many people showed up and the music was turned up too loud."

What's a more formal alternative to "things get out of control"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "the situation became unmanageable", "circumstances deteriorated", or "the situation escalated" instead of "things get out of control".

What does it mean when someone says "things get out of control"?

When someone says "things get out of control", they mean that a situation is no longer being managed effectively, leading to chaos, problems, or unintended consequences.

Is it grammatically correct to say "things get out of control"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It follows standard grammar rules and is commonly used.