under control

Meaning

This phrase means that a situation is being managed successfully, is stable, and is not causing problems. It is highly reassuring in business when dealing with crises, heavy workloads, or unexpected issues. It has a calm and confident tone.

Examples

• Don't worry about the shipment delay; we have everything under control.

  Don't worry about the shipment delay; we have everything under control.

• It was a chaotic morning, but the team finally got the situation under control.

  It was a chaotic morning, but the team finally got the situation under control.

• Is the budget for the new marketing campaign under control?

  Is the budget for the new marketing campaign under control?

• She assured the manager that the client's complaints were under control.

  She assured the manager that the client's complaints were under control.

• We need to keep our operating expenses under control this quarter.

  We need to keep our operating expenses under control this quarter.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The project is in control now.

  ✓ The project is under control now.

  The correct idiom is 'under control'. 'In control' refers to the person who has power (e.g., 'She is in control of the project'), not the status of the situation itself.

• ✗ We got the crisis under the control.

  ✓ We got the crisis under control.

  Do not use the definite article 'the' within this fixed idiomatic expression.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Despite the tight deadline, everything is completely ___.

  💡 A phrase meaning managed well and not causing panic.

  Show answer

  under control

• It took us three hours to get the system error ___.

  💡 To stabilize a problematic situation.

  Show answer

  under control