well under control

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "well under control" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that a situation is being handled effectively and efficiently. For example: "The police have the situation well under control."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He has that well under control".

The New York Times - Books

"Meanwhile," he added, "inflation is well under control".

The New York Times

The costs of the operation are well under control".

The New York Times

With the deficit well under control, there isn't one.

The New Yorker

It was a nice little blaze, well under control but rather smoky and spectacular.

The New Yorker

He insisted the Jewish community was well prepared and "this is well under control".

The Guardian

Otherwise the partisans have been kept well under control by their leaders.

The Guardian

Inflation, now running at 4.6%, has been well under control for ten years.

The Economist

Business is booming, and bad debts are well under control, at least for now.

The Economist

BP continued to pursue other ways to bring the well under control soon.

The New York Times - Science

"I think we had the game well under control," he added.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "well under control" to convey a sense of confidence and stability in situations where oversight is crucial. For example, in project management or crisis response scenarios.

Common error

Avoid using "well under control" when the situation is evidently precarious or unstable. This can undermine credibility and create a false sense of security.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well under control" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to describe the state of being managed, contained, or regulated effectively. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "well under control" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression in English to indicate that a situation is being managed effectively and efficiently. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. While predominantly neutral to professional in register, overuse or inappropriate application in unstable situations should be avoided to maintain credibility. Alternatives such as "effectively managed" or "in firm control" can be considered for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in firm control

Highlights the strength and stability of the control being exerted.

effectively managed

Focuses on the efficiency of the management process.

properly handled

Focuses on the correctness and appropriateness of the handling.

successfully contained

Focuses on preventing something from spreading or escalating.

completely managed

Emphasizes the entirety of the management.

thoroughly managed

Highlights the depth and detail involved in managing something.

under tight rein

Suggests a restrictive and careful control.

fully dominated

Implies a powerful and complete level of control.

in good hands

Implies that something is being taken care of by capable individuals.

masterfully directed

Highlights the skill and expertise involved in directing something.

FAQs

How can I use "well under control" in a sentence?

You can use "well under control" to describe a situation that is being effectively managed. For example, "The fire is "effectively managed" and the firefighters have the situation "well under control".

What are some alternatives to "well under control"?

Alternatives include "in firm control", "effectively managed", or "properly handled", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "well under control"?

It is appropriate when describing a situation where measures have been taken to ensure things are managed and there is confidence in the outcome. Saying that something is "well under control" implies that everything is "completely managed".

What does it mean when someone says a situation is "well under control"?

It means that the situation is being managed effectively, and those in charge are confident in their ability to maintain stability and prevent negative outcomes. In short the situation is "successfully contained".