verb phrase🎓 English idiom

get out of hand

to become uncontrollable

What it means

To become impossible to control or manage, often growing worse quickly. It describes situations, behaviour, or costs that escalate beyond a reasonable limit.

Examples

  • The party got out of hand once strangers started arriving uninvited.
  • We need to act before these expenses get completely out of hand.
  • The argument got out of hand and several people ended up shouting.
  • Left unchecked, small rumours can quickly get out of hand at work.

Where it comes from

From the imagery of holding reins "in hand" to control a horse; losing that grip meant the animal was no longer under control.

Related idioms

#rock the boat#the last straw#in hot water#throw a wrench in the works

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