IdiomBody & SensesSpanish

irse de las manos

Meaning: To spiral beyond control; to become unmanageable or chaotic.

Literally: To go away from the hands

Example: “La broma se le fue de las manos y acabó con un cristal roto.” — The prank got out of hand and ended with a broken window.

English equivalent: To get out of hand

Equivalents in other languages

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Origin: Whatever slips out of one's hands is no longer under control. Spanish says it of situations, parties, budgets or children that get beyond managing, much like English "get out of hand." It has no particular story behind it.

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