get out of hand

get out of hand

To become chaotic and unmanageable, as of a situation. If your party gets out of hand, the neighbors will call the police.
See also: get, hand, of, out
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

get out of hand

COMMON If a situation gets out of hand, it cannot be controlled any longer. Two men in the club had an argument that got out of hand and the police were called. Kenneth's aggressive nature has gotten a bit out of hand. Compare with out of hand.
See also: get, hand, of, out
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

get out of ˈhand

become difficult or impossible to control: How can we stop price increases getting out of hand? The student teacher saw that the class was getting completely out of hand, so he asked for help. OPPOSITE: be under control
See also: get, hand, of, out
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • have (something) well in hand
  • have in hand
  • have (something) in hand
  • in hand
  • a steady hand on the tiller
  • be in hand
  • get a hand on (something)
  • be on hand
  • a hand in
  • a hand in (something)
References in periodicals archive
Sure, you might treat yourself to an occasional Ferrari, but you wouldn't let things get out of hand. Would you?
Behind the music