Be Carried Away – Meaning and Examples
Have you ever been so excited or emotional about something that you lost control a little bit? Maybe you spent too much money or got too angry during a game. In English, we say you were carried away.
This phrase is great for explaining when someone loses control due to strong feelings. Let’s learn how to use to be carried away correctly!
What Does “To Be Carried Away” Mean?
“To be carried away” means to become overwhelmed by emotion or enthusiasm. It suggests that you let your feelings control your actions, often causing you to do something excessive or unplanned.
Think of it like being swept up by a strong current in the water—you are no longer in control of where you are going. When you get carried away, your feelings are the strong current.
This phrase is not literal; no one is physically carrying you away.
When to Use It
Use this phrase when you want to describe someone who:
- Is overly enthusiastic: They spent too much money or bought too many things.
- Loses their temper: They got too angry or upset in an argument.
- Is swept up in the moment: They become deeply emotional during a performance or speech.
This phrase is informal to neutral and is very common in everyday conversation.
Example Sentences
- I got carried away and bought three pairs of shoes instead of one.
- She apologized for shouting; she said she just got a little carried away.
- The crowd was carried away by the singer’s amazing performance.
- Don’t let your excitement cause you to be carried away and make a mistake.
Mini Dialogue
Alex: “Did you see how angry Tom got when he lost the match?”
Jamie: “Yes, he really let himself be carried away by the pressure.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Remember that this is a passive phrase: you are carried away, or you let yourself be carried away. You do not usually “carry away” someone else in this emotional sense.
❌ Don’t say: “I carried away by the music.” (Incorrect grammar—it should be passive.)
✅ Do say: “I was carried away by the music.” (Correct passive form.)
Practice Tip
The next time you feel very excited, maybe while watching a sports game, use the phrase to yourself: “Don’t let yourself get too carried away!
Final Note
Fantastic! You have learned how to be carried away works. This expression is perfect for talking about strong feelings and big reactions.
Keep using this phrase to describe passionate moments. Now you’re ready to use it like a native speaker!