Out of hand

Meaning

The idiom "out of hand" means that something is happening or being done without any control, direction, or supervision from someone in charge. It can also refer to a situation where there is no order, chaos, or disorder.

Usage

• The project was left out of hand when the manager resigned unexpectedly.
• The children were running wild and out of hand during the playground scene.
• The city council failed to control the budget deficit and it has gone out of hand.
• The company's profits have been declining steadily, leaving the stock prices out of hand.
• The court proceedings were disrupted when the jury reached an impasse and the case was left out of hand.

Roots and History

The earliest known use of the idiom "out of hand" is in the 17th century English language, where it meant "not done or in practice". Over time, the meaning evolved to include a lack of control or supervision, leading to the current figurative meaning. The term may have also been influenced by the idea of something being passed around or handled without direction or authority.

Synonyms in English

• Uncontrolled
• Unsupervised
• Disorganized
• Chaotic
• Random

Synonyms in other languages

• اللامبي (Arabic) - refers to a situation where things are completely out of control and unpredictable.
• 無法控制的 (Japanese) - means that something cannot be controlled or directed by someone in charge.
• מחלקה סטועם אשר בחיותי נפשות (Hebrew) - refers to a situation where people are living without purpose or direction, leading to chaos and disorder.

Similar Idioms

• off the record

• off the cuff

• off the chain