Michael Business Law
Everyday UK Expressions (10): It's getting out of hand!

It’s getting out of hand <o:p></o:p>

When a situation “is getting out of hand”, it is becoming harder and harder to control. <o:p></o:p>

e.g. He started drinking only one pint of beer after work with his colleagues on Friday.  But now, he drinks 3 or 4 pints of beer most evenings, and sometimes comes home drunk. It’s getting out of hand and I don’t know what to do about it.<o:p></o:p>

This informal, common expression can be used in most situations in life including work, leisure, politics, and economics. You use the whole expression together:<o:p></o:p>

situation (it) + get + out of hand.  The verb “get” can take any tense <o:p></o:p>

e.g. If we don’t stop our dogs barking at each other, pretty soon it will get out of hand and there will be a fight. <o:p></o:p>

Can you create your own sentences with this expression? Good luck.<o:p></o:p>

Sep 28, 2016 2:00 PM
Comments · 13
1
Ok, Natalia.  I think you are making progress with "pull out all the stops", but you didn't use it quite right. I am going to revisit how to use that phrase in a future discussion, after I have given a few more tips.  Keep up the good work.
October 1, 2016
1
Right. But I will pull out all the stops to eat one more cake, while he is rescuing me.
October 1, 2016
1
Well done, Natalia.  I can imagine your friend having to rescue you because you can't stop eating all the cakes! 
October 1, 2016
1
I have a sweet tooth. And now I am at the birthday party. There are so many delicious sweets, cakes and buns on the table. It seems it will get out of hand soon.
October 1, 2016
1

Thanks, Jennifer, Sudeep, and Filippo.  Good example in particular from Jennifer - you've got the idea.  "end up" goes well with "getting out of hand".


September 28, 2016
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