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Glite Dictionary
to stay in control

to stay in control

264 3.7
Keep power over a situation and stay calm
  • phrasal verb
  • US
translation icon : mantener el control
  • As the situation escalated, he had to focus to stay in control of his emotions.
  • feel in control
  • remain in control
  • firmly in control

Let go of trying to stay in control of things.

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Examples

Synonyms

to control
vsto stay in control
∞ 2.4

To have power over people, things, or situations

can mean staying calm and composed rather than only holding power
to hold it together
vsto stay in control
  • Informal
61 5.6

Stay calm and control your feelings in a difficult situation

can mean continuing authority in a situation instead of only calmness
to keep one's cool
vsto stay in control
  • Informal
30 3.4

Stay calm and control your feelings when things are hard

can mean having authority over events, not just emotional steadiness
to keep it together
vsto stay in control
  • Informal
27 5.4

To stay calm and control your feelings in a difficult situation

also implies holding authority rather than only personal composure
to stay on top of
vsto stay in control
27 4.1

To keep informed and in control to avoid problems

focuses equally on calm composure rather than only being informed
to play it cool
vsto stay in control
  • Informal
27 4.5

Act calm and relaxed to hide nervousness

is used more for genuine calm or keeping authority, not performance
to hold sway
vsto stay in control
9 6.6

To have power over people or situations

is also used for calm composure rather than exercising influence
to keep a cool head
vsto stay in control
3 3.9

Stay calm and not get angry or excited in a difficult situation

also covers keeping control and authority rather than only calmness
to hold the reins
vsto stay in control
  • Informal
3 4.9

To be in control of a group or business

also refers to remaining calm and composed instead of active direction
to keep one's temper
vsto stay in control
1 4.4

Stay calm and not get angry in a difficult situation

can mean maintaining authority rather than only preventing anger
to maintain the upper hand
vsto stay in control
4.9

To keep an advantage or control over others

can mean staying calm and composed instead of keeping advantage
to keep one's head
vsto stay in control
4.6

Stay calm and think clearly in a difficult or dangerous situation

can mean keeping authority over a situation as well as staying calm
to hold one's nerve
vsto stay in control
  • Informal
5.5

To stay calm and in control during a difficult situation

also refers to keeping authority over events rather than only steadiness

Antonyms

to lose it
  • Informal
289 7.5

Suddenly stop controlling your feelings and become very angry or upset

to panic
272 2.3

To feel sudden fear and lose the ability to think or act calmly

How In Control

to take control
227 3.5
to stay in control
  • US
264 3.7
to take hold
33 3.8

Surface Forms

stay in control infinitive
stayed in control past
stayed in control past participle
staying in control present participle
stays in control third person singular

Morphology

stay + in + control

The meaning is directly derivable from combining 'stay' (to remain) with the prepositional phrase 'in control' (to have authority or self-control). This is a transparent compositional pattern (verb + prepositional phrase) that is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words will readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

Stay in control paints a simple image: someone holding the steering wheel or the reins during a wild ride so nothing runs away. To stay in control means to keep your place of power and calm, so the phrase means 'to keep authority over a situation' or 'to remain calm'.