lose control
Fly off handle
To lose control is to no longer be able to manage or direct something—a vehicle, a situation, one's emotions: She lost control of the car on the ice, The meeting lost control when everyone started shouting.
The phrase often describes emotional outbursts: He lost control and started crying.
One can also lose control of bodily functions, a euphemism for involuntary urination or defecation.
Uncontrollable emotional excess
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
- alarmUrgent warning signal
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- frightSudden intense fear
overwhelm · meltdown · fight-or-flight · hyperventilation · trembling · sweating · heart-pounding · freeze
State of utter confusion
- mayhemViolent disorder and destruction
- bedlamState of wild disorder
- havocWidespread destruction and chaos
- turmoilViolent disturbance or confusion
anarchy · upheaval · frenzy · riot · meltdown · disarray · unraveling · breakdown
Sudden emotional release
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- snappingBreaking with sharp sound
- eruptionViolent sudden release
- flying off the handleLosing composure suddenly
blowing up · exploding · rage · sobbing · hysterics · tantrum · conniption · fit
Leave behind permanently
- impulsivityActing without considering consequences
- rashnessImprudent haste in action
- heedlessnessFailure to notice danger
- carelessnessInattention causing mistakes
foolhardiness · temerity · throwing caution · wildness · daredevil · irresponsibility · brashness · impetuousness
Uncontrolled sliding motion
- swervingTurning sharply aside
- spinning outUncontrolled rotational skid
- fishtailingRear-end lateral oscillation
- careeningTilting or swaying recklessly
veering · hydroplaning · sliding · tumbling · falling · stumbling · wobbling · flailing
Releasing one's grasp
- releaseTo let go
- yieldingBending under pressure
- giving inCeasing to resist
- submissionYielding to another's will
capitulation · resignation · acceptance · relinquishing · unbridling · freeing · unleashing · opening up
hysteria
Uncontrollable emotional excess
fright · overwhelm · meltdown · fight-or-flight · hyperventilation · trembling · sweating · heart-pounding · freeze · shutdown
pandemonium
State of utter confusion
- mayhemViolent disorder and destruction
- bedlamState of wild disorder
- havocWidespread destruction and chaos
turmoil · anarchy · upheaval · frenzy · riot · meltdown · disarray · unraveling · breakdown · collapse
outburst
Sudden emotional release
flying off the handle · blowing up · exploding · rage · sobbing · hysterics · tantrum · conniption · fit · tirade
abandon
Leave behind permanently
- impulsivityActing without considering consequences
- rashnessImprudent haste in action
- heedlessnessFailure to notice danger
carelessness · foolhardiness · temerity · throwing caution · wildness · daredevil · irresponsibility · brashness · impetuousness · risk-taking
skidding
Uncontrolled sliding motion
- swervingTurning sharply aside
- spinning outUncontrolled rotational skid
- fishtailingRear-end lateral oscillation
careening · veering · hydroplaning · sliding · tumbling · falling · stumbling · wobbling · flailing · convulsing
letting go
Releasing one's grasp
submission · capitulation · resignation · acceptance · relinquishing · unbridling · freeing · unleashing · opening up · flowing
- outburstsoutburst, burst, eruption, tantrum, meltdown
- going too faroverdo, overstepping, crossing the line, overstep, cross the line
lose controlkeep one's cool
Maintain emotional control
stay calm · keep it together · hold it together · keep one's head · contain oneself
lose controlseize control
Forcibly take command
take control · gain control · take command · assume control · call the shots
lose, lost, control, losing, controller, controlled, loses, controlling, uncontrollable