OUT OF HAND

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does out of hand mean? 

• OUT OF HAND (adverb)
  The adverb OUT OF HAND has 1 sense:

1. out of control

  Familiarity information: OUT OF HAND used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• OUT OF HAND (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Out of control

Synonyms:

beyond control; out of hand

Context example:

the riots got out of hand

Antonym:

in hand (under control)

 Context examples 

The ocean’s chemistry must have changed in order for the blooms to get so out of hand.

(Satellites Find Biggest Seaweed Bloom in the World, NASA)

On these occasions Mr. Dick never travelled without a leathern writing-desk, containing a supply of stationery and the Memorial; in relation to which document he had a notion that time was beginning to press now, and that it really must be got out of hand.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)