things spiraled out of control

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things spiraled out of control" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that has become chaotic or unmanageable. Example: "At first, the project seemed manageable, but as deadlines approached, things spiraled out of control."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Things spiraled out of control for the Aztecs after that.

The New York Times

But a decade later many people associated with the '99 Angels largely blame him, and not Collins, for the way things spiraled out of control.

The New York Times - Sports

From there, things spiraled out of control, and the program looks at the decision makers as they struggled to keep pace with the evolving catastrophe.

The New York Times - Arts

As predicted, things spiraled out of control quickly.

Vice

The footage was shot during a store looting when things spiraled out of control and looters began hurling rocks and chunks of concrete.

Huffington Post

Things spiraled out of control as Ma Anand Sheela, Rajneesh's right-hand woman and devoted disciple, plots to secure the organization's political and fiscal dominance.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

On holiday, things spiral out of control.

The Guardian - Tech

"That's when things spiralled out of control".

The New Yorker

I worry about, among other things, the lines of communication, the impulse to strike back, i.e. things spiraling out of control… HENDRIK HERTZBERG: Very good questions.

The New Yorker

I continued to attend there after my pregnancy and, as things spiralled out of control, I was prescribed antidepressants and given a place in a group therapy session.

The Guardian - Opinion

Things came to a head in the second term when I tried to confront the class who simply refused to be silent for long enough to let me speak: I started to threaten them with class detention and things spiralled out of control.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific event or situation, provide concrete details about how things spiraled out of control to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

While "things spiraled out of control" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid using it excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and professional language like "the situation deteriorated rapidly" or "the project became unmanageable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things spiraled out of control" functions as a descriptive idiom. It conveys that a situation or series of events rapidly deteriorated and became unmanageable, often unexpectedly. Ludwig confirms its use in diverse contexts, particularly within news and media.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "things spiraled out of control" is a common and grammatically correct idiom used to describe a situation that rapidly deteriorated and became unmanageable. As Ludwig confirms, it's prevalent in news and media contexts, although less common in formal or academic writing. While widely understood, remember that choosing alternatives like "things got out of hand" or "the situation deteriorated rapidly" can add nuance to your expression, depending on the desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

things got out of hand

Replaces "spiraled" with a more general term for losing control.

matters spiraled downward

Similar to the original, but uses "downward" to emphasize the negative direction.

the situation deteriorated rapidly

Focuses on the quick decline of a situation.

things went downhill fast

Uses a common idiom to describe a quick decline.

the situation escalated quickly

Highlights the rapid increase in intensity or severity.

things became unmanageable

Emphasizes the lack of control over the situation.

chaos ensued

A more concise way to express the chaotic outcome.

events took a turn for the worse

Indicates a negative change in circumstances.

the situation went awry

Uses a more formal term to indicate something went wrong.

everything fell apart

Emphasizes the complete failure of a situation.

FAQs

What does "things spiraled out of control" mean?

The phrase "things spiraled out of control" means that a situation quickly became chaotic, unmanageable, or deteriorated rapidly.

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

You can use "things spiraled out of control" to describe a situation that deteriorated quickly, such as: "The meeting started calmly, but "things spiraled out of control" when the budget cuts were announced."

What can I say instead of "things spiraled out of control"?

You can use alternatives like "things got out of hand", "the situation deteriorated rapidly", or "things became unmanageable" depending on the context.

Is "things spiraled out of control" a formal expression?

The phrase "things spiraled out of control" is generally considered informal to neutral. While widely understood, more formal contexts might benefit from using alternatives like "the situation became untenable" or "the project became unmanageable".