control Definition
- 1the power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of events
- 2the ability to manage or restrain one's own emotions or actions
- 3a device or mechanism used to regulate or guide the operation of a machine, process, or system
Using control: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "control" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The government has control over the country's economy.
Example
She struggled to maintain control of her emotions during the argument.
Example
The car's cruise control keeps it at a constant speed on the highway.
control Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using control
in control
having the power or authority to direct or manage something
Example
She remained calm and in control during the crisis.
take control
assume responsibility for a situation and direct its course
Example
He had to take control of the company after the CEO resigned.
lose control
cease to have the power or ability to manage or restrain something
Example
She lost control of the car and crashed into a tree.
Phrases with control
out of control
unable to be managed or restrained
Example
The fire was out of control and spreading quickly.
under control
managed or restrained
Example
The situation is under control and there is no need to panic.
control freak
a person who feels an obsessive need to control situations and people
Example
He's such a control freak that he can't delegate any tasks to his employees.
Origins of control
from Old French 'contrerole', from medieval Latin 'contrarotulus', meaning 'a counter, register'
Summary: control in Brief
The term 'control' [kənˈtrəʊl] refers to the power to influence or direct people's behavior or events, the ability to manage one's own emotions or actions, or a device used to regulate a machine or system. It can be exemplified by 'The government has control over the country's economy,' 'She struggled to maintain control of her emotions,' and 'The car's cruise control keeps it at a constant speed.' Phrases like 'out of control' and 'under control' denote unmanageable or restrained situations, while idioms like 'in control' and 'take control' refer to directing or managing a situation.
