Phrase guide

out of hand

adj · adv · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Barely under control; not under control.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Near-synonyms: chaotic, messy, uncontrolled, uncontrollable
  • Clean things as you go so that the mess does not get out of hand.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: chaotic, messy, uncontrolled, uncontrollable

Antonyms: in hand

2

adv

Meaning 2

Without (further) thought or consideration.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: offhand

Antonyms: none provided

3

adv

Meaning 3

Immediately, forthwith, or incontinently.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: archaic

Examples

  • Near-synonym: offhand

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: offhand

Antonyms: none provided

4

adverb

Meaning 4

out of control

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the riots got out of hand

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: beyond control

Antonyms: in hand

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

17 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: ongecontroleerd — not under control, out of control
  • Dutch: in het wilde weg — not under control, out of control
  • Estonian: käest ära — not under control, out of control
  • French: hors de contrôle — not under control, out of control
  • German: geraten — not under control, out of control
  • German: außer Kontrolle — not under control, out of control
  • German: überhand (now only used in überhandnehmen) — not under control, out of control
  • German: aus dem Ruder (now only used in aus dem Ruder laufen) — not under control, out of control
  • German: ausufern — not under control, out of control
  • Italian: fuori controllo — not under control, out of control
  • Portuguese: fora de controle — not under control, out of control
  • Russian: неуправляемый (neupravljajemyj) — not under control, out of control
  • Spanish: fuera de control — not under control, out of control
  • Spanish: desmandado — not under control, out of control
  • Swedish: urspårad — not under control, out of control
  • Swedish: urartad — not under control, out of control
  • Russian: без раздумий (bez razdumij) — Without (further) thought or consideration