under control

under control — idiom

1. used to say that something dangerous or harmful — such as a fire, the spread of

1.慣用語B2
釋義

used to say that something dangerous or harmful — such as a fire, the spread of a disease, or a pest infestation — has been stopped from getting worse and is now limited to a known area

例句

Daichi poured water on the campfire to keep it under control overnight.

keep + [fire/problem] + under control

The dengue outbreak in Salma's village is under control after the vaccination campaign.

is under control after [intervention]

同義詞
  • contained

    stronger emphasis on stopping spread, used for fires, diseases

  • managed

    broader, can apply to any situation being handled

  • dealt with

    focuses on the action taken rather than the resulting state

反義詞
  • out of control

    the direct opposite; situation worsening without limit

  • spiraling

    describes a situation getting steadily worse

文法句型

be + under control

keep + object + under control

bring + object + under control

用法筆記

Frequently appears after the verbs keep, get, or bring when describing the act of gaining control over a situation: 'We need to get the situation under control.'

常見錯誤

Everything is in control now.
Everything is under control now.
💡The fixed phrase is 'under control,' not 'in control.'

under control — idiom

1. in a state where a system, budget, process, or set of feelings is running smooth

1.慣用語B2
釋義

in a state where a system, budget, process, or set of feelings is running smoothly and staying orderly because of good management

例句

Noa checked the laboratory temperature monitors during the heatwave and confirmed that the cold-storage samples were still under control.

confirm + that + [subject] + are still under control

Reema kept her emotions under control throughout the difficult job interview.

keep + [emotions/feelings] + under control

同義詞
  • manageable

    focuses on the potential to be handled, not the current state

  • in check

    slightly informal, often used for emotions or spending

  • well-regulated

    formal, used for systems and processes

反義詞
  • out of hand

    informal, describes a situation that can no longer be managed

  • chaotic

    emphasises disorder rather than loss of authority

文法句型

be + under control

keep + object + under control

stay + under control

用法筆記

Unlike the BEING DEALT WITH sense, this sense does not require a problem or crisis — it can describe budgets, emotions, systems, or any orderly process that is running smoothly.

常見錯誤

The costs are on control this quarter.
The costs are under control this quarter.
💡Learners sometimes substitute 'on' or 'in' for 'under'; the preposition is always 'under.'