irse de las manos
Lemma Details
Translation: to get out of hand; to spiral out of control; to slip through one's fingers
Part of Speech: phrase
Etymology: This Spanish phrase combines 'irse' (to go away) with 'de las manos' (from the hands). It creates a metaphorical image of something literally escaping from one's grasp or control. The English equivalent 'to get out of hand' shares the same conceptual metaphor of losing physical control of something held in one's hands, which then extends to losing control of situations or events.
Commonality: 70%
Guessability: 50%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
La situación se nos fue de las manos cuando todos empezaron a gritar.
The situation got out of hand when everyone started shouting.
Si no tienes cuidado, el proyecto se te irá de las manos.
If you're not careful, the project will get out of control.
La fiesta se les fue de las manos y tuvieron que llamar a la policía.
The party got out of hand and they had to call the police.
Mnemonics
- Imagine trying to hold water in your hands and watching it slip through your fingers – just like a situation that gets out of control.
- Think of 'hands' as your ability to control something, and when something 'goes away from your hands,' you've lost that control.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This phrase is commonly used in everyday Spanish conversation to describe situations that have become unmanageable. It's used across all Spanish-speaking countries and doesn't have specific cultural connotations beyond its literal meaning.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'irse de las manos' means something escaping one's control, 'estar en manos de' means something is under someone's control or responsibility.
Confused word:
El futuro de la empresa está en manos del nuevo director.
The future of the company is in the hands of the new director.
Notes: Both phrases use 'manos' (hands) as a metaphor for control, but with opposite meanings.
Mnemonic: 'Irse' (to go away) vs 'estar' (to be) - one is leaving control, the other is remaining in control.
Explanation: 'Irse de las manos' refers to losing control of a situation, while 'lavarse las manos' means to refuse responsibility (to wash one's hands of something).
Confused word:
El gerente se lavó las manos ante el problema.
The manager washed his hands of the problem.
Notes: Both are idiomatic expressions using 'hands' but with different implications about responsibility and control.
Mnemonic: Think of 'washing hands' as removing yourself from a situation vs. something 'going away from hands' as losing control.