out of hand

comparative more out of hand · superlative most out of hand

1. Without (further) thought or consideration.

   The questions covered ranged from those that could be answered out of hand, through those requiring some thought and at least a second interview, to those which presented matters for further research in theoretical statistics.

   1948, University of Michigan Official Publication., UM Libraries, page 175

   1 more example

   I still think that advice is sound, because, if justices do decide a case out of hand on the complainant's case, it is argued, as in the present appeal, that they have ruled, as a matter of law, that there was no case to answer.

   1954, Justice of the peace and local government review reports.

   Synonyms: offhand

2. archaicImmediately, forthwith, or incontinently.

   Near-synonym: offhand

   2 more examples

   He bad to open wyde his brazen gate, / Which long time had bene shut, and out of hond / Proclaymed ioy and peace through all his state [...].

   1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, I.xii

   Now any Man finding in hot Blood, one who with a fore-thought Felony hath murthered his Daughter, may, without tying himself to the Formalities and Circumstances of a Legal Proceeding, kill him on a sudden, and out of hand, without incurring any hazard of being attainted and apprehended by the Officers of Justice for so doing.

   1653, Francois Rabelais (tr. anon), The works of Mr. Francis Rabelais, doctor in physick, volume 2, Navarre society, London

   Synonyms: offhand

comparative more out of hand · superlative most out of hand

1. Barely under control; not under control.

   Near-synonyms: chaotic, messy, uncontrolled, uncontrollable

   3 more examples

   Clean things as you go so that the mess does not get out of hand.

   Figueiredo's troops got out of hand and disgraced themselves by mutilating the Spanish dead and wounded on the field of battle.

   1892, James Fitzmaurice-Kelly, The life of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, London Chapman & Hall, published 1892

   Shepard: The Alliance sent me to bring you in, Major. Can't you see this has gotten out of hand? Don't you understand you're endangering your followers?

   2008, BioWare, Mass Effect, Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →ISBN, →OCLC, PC, scene: Presrop

   Synonyms: chaotic, messy, uncontrolled, uncontrollable · Antonyms: in hand