pattern

Decision & Control - Out of Control

Explore English idioms that relate to being out of control with examples like "off the rails" and "go to pieces".

Review

Flashcards

Forms

Quiz

Start learning
English idioms related to Decision & Control
in a fit of pique

(of an action) done due to one's pride being hurt or not being treated well

Ex: He quit his job in a fit of pique after being overlooked for a promotion. 
Close
Sign in
to [spin|spiral] out of control

(of a situation) to keep getting worse in an uncontrollable manner

Ex: The argument quickly spiraled out of control. 
Close
Sign in
wild and woolly

(of behavior) not in accordance with law and order and free from control

Ex: The town had a wild and woolly reputation in those days. 
Close
Sign in
on the spur of the moment

without any prior planning or thought

Ex: We booked the trip on the spur of the moment. 
Close
Sign in
in the heat of the moment

at a time when anger or excitement completely overwhelm one, preventing any rational thought to come to mind

Ex: He said things he didn't mean in the heat of the moment. 
Close
Sign in
to [be] beside {oneself}

to find it extremely difficult to control oneself, due to feeling really angry, excited, etc.

Ex: She was beside herself with anger when she saw the damage. 
Close
Sign in
in the lap of the (gods|god)

used to say that a situation is beyond human control and is left to fate or chance to determine

Ex: We've done everything we can; now it's in the lap of the gods. 
Close
Sign in
to [let] {one's} heart rule {one's} head

to make a decision to do something solely based on one's emotions

Ex: He bought the expensive car, letting his heart rule his head. 
Close
Sign in
to [get|have] the (best|better) of {sb/sth}

to be unable to conceal one's strong feeling or urge

Ex: I tried to stay calm, but my anger got the better of me. 
Close
Sign in
the tail wagging the dog

used to refer to a situation in which a person or thing that is important or powerful is being led or controlled by a significantly less powerful or important person or thing

Ex: The committee's minor member ended up making all the decisions; the tail wagging the dog. 
Close
Sign in
(stark|) raving (mad|bonkers)

(of a person) completely insane

Ex: He must be stark raving mad to quit his job without a plan. 
Close
Sign in
to [go] to pieces

to be unable to control oneself due to being under emotional or mental pressure

Ex: After weeks of stress, she finally went to pieces at work. 
Close
Sign in
off the rails

used to say that something is out of control or unpredictable

Ex: The meeting went off the rails when everyone started shouting. 
Close
Sign in
to [jump] the (tracks|rails)

to unexpectedly switch from the planned path

Ex: The presentation was going smoothly until he jumped the rails and started talking about politics. 
Close
Sign in
to [cut] loose
to cut loose
[phrase]

to allow oneself to behave freely and have fun

Ex: After months of hard work, they went out to cut loose at the party. 
Close
Sign in
quirk of fate

an unexpected or unusual occurrence or event that alters the course of events

Ex: By a quirk of fate, they met again in the same city ten years later. 
Close
Sign in
LanGeek
Download LanGeek app