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THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

Get carried away

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

To become so excited or involved that you lose control of what you say or do.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. I got carried away at the book sale and bought more than I could carry.

03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Quick idiom quiz

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Can you recall the expression?

Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?

To become so excited or involved that you lose control of what you say or do.
Show the answer

Get carried away — To become so excited or involved that you lose control of what you say or do.

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Make it yours

Write one sentence using “Get carried away” about your own life.

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Does your sentence match this meaning?

To become so excited or involved that you lose control of what you say or do.

Compare: I got carried away at the book sale and bought more than I could carry.

Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.

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More ways to understand and use it

When to use it

Use it conversationally when enthusiasm leads to excess, such as buying too much or talking for too long.

More examples in context

  • We got carried away planning decorations and forgot the budget.
  • She enjoys telling stories, but sometimes she gets carried away and misses the main point.

Usage note

Common patterns include get carried away with enthusiasm and get carried away by excitement. The idiom does not mean being physically transported.

A short conversation

A: Did we really need twenty balloons for a small lunch?
B: I got carried away choosing the decorations.
A: Let us keep the rest for another occasion.

One more practice question

Which shopper gets carried away?

A. Someone whose excitement leads them to buy far more than planned.
B. Someone who calmly buys only the items on their list.

Check your answer

A. Excitement has led the shopper to lose restraint.

Related lessons

Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.

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