out of control

Idioms and Phrases

Also, out of hand . No longer under management, direction, or regulation; unmanageable or unruly. For example, Housing costs are out of control , or The children were getting out of hand again . The first term uses control in the sense of “restraint,” a usage dating from the late 1500s; the variant uses hand in the sense of “power” or “authority,” and dates from the late 1800s.

Example Sentences

A rising death toll, mass panic, scary mortality rate—what could possibly be good about the out-of-control epidemic?

From The Daily Beast

Kilmer plays shy Teddy, and Nat Wolff his out-of-control friend, Fred.

From The Daily Beast

It was neither the first nor the last time Bieber would be characterized as a petulant, out-of-control little jerk.

From The Daily Beast

These people really have created an out-of-control Frankenstein in this base.

From The Daily Beast

The day after Thanksgiving brings huge sales, long lines—and some out-of-control crowds.

From The Daily Beast