out of hand
Definition
Adverb 1. Out of control; unmanageable: Describes a situation that has become chaotic, disorderly, or impossible to manage or restrain. 2. Immediately, without consideration: Describes a decision or rejection made instantly, without any discussion or deliberation.
Usage Examples
- Adverb (Out of control):
- The party got out of hand when too many uninvited guests arrived.
- We need to address this issue before the rumors get out of hand.
- Adverb (Immediately, without consideration):
- The proposal was rejected out of hand by the committee.
- He dismissed my concerns out of hand, which was very frustrating.
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is often used to describe situations involving groups, emotions, or events that escalate beyond acceptable limits.
- When used to mean "immediately," it typically modifies verbs like , , or , indicating a summary and conclusive action.
Variants and Related Words
- Out-of-hand (Adjective, hyphenated): Sometimes used attributively before a noun.
- The meeting was an out-of-hand disaster from the start.
Synonyms
- Out of control: Unruly, chaotic, wild.
- Immediately: Summarily, peremptorily, outright.
Related Phrases
- Get out of hand: To become uncontrollable. (This is the primary phrasal usage of the core phrase).
- If we don't set rules, the spending will get out of hand.
- Be out of hand: To be in an uncontrollable state.
- The protest was completely out of hand.
Related Idioms
- Get out of someone's hands: To move beyond someone's control or responsibility. (Note: This is a distinct, though related, idiom).
- The investigation has gotten out of our hands and is now a federal matter.
Adverb
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out of control
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the riots got out of hand
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