Lose control means to stop being able to control a car, a situation or yourself. Without an object, it often means you can't hold your emotions back any more: I lost control and started crying. With an object, you need of: lose control of the car.
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lose control (of + car/situation/budget); lose control of yourself; be out of control
- The cyclist lost control on the wet road and fell into a bush.
- If we don't plan the budget, we'll quickly lose control of our spending.
- I was so tired that I lost control and shouted at my brother.
What changed
First versionDon't drive so fast on ice, or you'll loose control.
RevisionDon't drive so fast on ice, or you'll lose control.
Loose with two o's is an adjective meaning not tight: loose jeans. Lose with one o is the verb meaning to stop having something. They sound different too: loose ends with an [s] sound, lose with a [z] sound. The extra o turned the verb into an adjective.
Lose your temper means to get angry, and it's only about anger: I lost my temper and shouted at him. Lose control is broader: people lose control out of fear, exhaustion or on a slippery road. In conversation, there's also a short version: I just lost it.
Your turn
The road was icy, and the driver ___ control of the van.
Show the answer
lost — The driver could no longer steer the van, so it's lost control. Missed means failed to catch or do something (missed the bus) and doesn't go with control in this sense.
Describe a situation when something got out of control. Say what it was and how you dealt with it.
Last winter I lost control of my car on ice, but I stayed calm and managed to stop at the side of the road.
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