Losing Control: English Vocabulary List

to say that one will do something even though they might not really intending to

"I have half a mind to leave right now."

"I have half a mind to call the manager and complain about the terrible service we received today."

feeling strong emotions, like fear or anxiety, in a way that makes it difficult for one to stand

"The sight made me weak in the knees."

"The young man felt weak in the knees when he saw the beautiful woman across the room."

to complete a task or activity with thoroughness, efficiency, and speed, often suggesting a focused and diligent approach

"They went to town."

"We need to go to town on this project if we want to finish it by Friday."

to refrain from or stop looking at a person or thing

"Keep your eyes off my phone."

"It was difficult for the child to keep his eyes off the brightly colored toys displayed in the shop window."

to lose one's temper and behave irrationally

"He threw his toys out of the cot when he lost."

"The sore loser threw his toys out of the cot when he did not win the game."

to entrust someone with one's life

"I put my life in hands."

"When you climb a mountain with a guide, you are essentially putting your life in someone else's hands."

to respond or react to something in a forceful manner

"He came out fighting hard."

"After the unfair criticism, she came out fighting and defended her ideas with strong arguments and confidence."

to be unable to control one's behavior due to a strong emotion such as anger, excitement, etc.

"Do not get carried away."

"I got carried away at the bookshop and spent way more money than I planned to spend."

to panic or respond with extreme fear or urgency in a situation, often without thinking logically or rationally

"Do not hit the panic button yet."

"When the computer crashed the inexperienced employee hit the panic button and called for help."

impossible or very hard to control

"The situation got out of hand."

"After the initial incident, the protest quickly escalated and became completely out of hand."

to engage in an activity or pursuit with great enthusiasm, energy, or extravagance, often to an excessive or intense degree

"We will go to town."

"She decided to go to town decorating the house for the holiday party."

used to say that someone is behaving in a way that is wild, irrational, or unconventional

"He is off the rails."

"After the sudden job loss, his behavior became increasingly erratic and off the rails."