get out of hand

Are you using the idiom get out of hand but not sure about its meaning? Using idioms, which are important elements of spoken and written language, in the right place strengthens your language skills. Examine the meaning of the get out of hand idiom and the situations in which it is used.

Meaning of "get out of hand"

Meaning

The phrase “get out of hand” is an idiom which means to become uncontrollable or unruly. It can also refer to a situation which has become chaotic or disorderly. It is often used to refer to a person who is acting in an uncontrolled manner.

Etymology

The origin of the phrase “get out of hand” is unclear but it is thought to have originated in the 16th century. The phrase likely arose from the phrase “to get out of one’s hand,” which was used to describe a situation or person which had become unmanageable or uncontrollable. The phrase “get out of hand” may have originally been used to refer to the literal act of someone taking an object out of someone’s hand, making it unmanageable. Over time, the phrase has become an idiom used to refer to any situation or person which has become uncontrollable.

Usage

The phrase “get out of hand” is typically used in a negative sense when referring to a situation or person. It is often used to describe a negative situation which has become chaotic or out of control. It can also be used to describe a person who is behaving in an unruly or uncontrolled manner. The phrase can also be used to describe a situation which has become overwhelming or unmanageable. It is usually used to suggest that a situation or person must be taken control of, or the consequences could be serious.

Example Sentences

• The kids' party got out of hand when they started throwing cake at each other.
• When the storm started, the waves quickly got out of hand and many boats were damaged.
• The team was doing well until their star player got out of hand and was sent off the field.
• The situation at work has gotten out of hand and it's time for management to step in and take control.

The Global Spread of English Idioms

As English has become a global language, its idioms have spread far beyond the borders of the UK and USA. For instance, the idiom "beat around the bush" has equivalents in many other languages, such as "tourner autour du pot" in French and "dar vueltas al asunto" in Spanish. Meanwhile, other idioms have been adapted for local contexts, such as the Russian idiom "?? ???? ???????" (ne svoya rubashka), which translates to "not one's own shirt," meaning to be in an uncomfortable or unfamiliar situation.