Meaning
A situation that is no longer possible to control.
Cultural Background
In American corporate culture, this is often used in meetings to describe projects that are over budget. In British English, it is often used to describe social gatherings that have become too rowdy.
Use 'get'
Most people say 'get out of hand' rather than just 'is out of hand'.
No plural
Never say 'out of hands'. It is always singular.
Meaning
A situation that is no longer possible to control.
Use 'get'
Most people say 'get out of hand' rather than just 'is out of hand'.
No plural
Never say 'out of hands'. It is always singular.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence.
The protest started peacefully but soon got ______.
The correct idiom is 'out of hand'.
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the correct usage.
No articles or pluralization are used in this idiom.
When should you use this phrase?
You are at a party that is becoming too loud and destructive. What do you say?
It describes a chaotic situation.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'The kids are running everywhere!' B: 'Yes, they have really ______.'
This describes the loss of control over the kids' behavior.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesThe protest started peacefully but soon got ______.
The correct idiom is 'out of hand'.
Choose the correct usage.
No articles or pluralization are used in this idiom.
You are at a party that is becoming too loud and destructive. What do you say?
It describes a chaotic situation.
A: 'The kids are running everywhere!' B: 'Yes, they have really ______.'
This describes the loss of control over the kids' behavior.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
6 questionsNo, it describes a situation.
It is neutral and common in daily speech.
The opposite is 'in hand'.
No, that is incorrect.
It can, but it mostly means unmanageable.
Yes, for projects or budgets.
Related Phrases
In hand
contrastUnder control
Spiral out of control
similarTo become chaotic
Lose control
synonymTo stop managing
