spiral out
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To have a panic attack; to be overcome by sadness, anxiety, etc.; to freak out
Register: informal
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “spiral out” mean?
To have a panic attack; to be overcome by sadness, anxiety, etc.; to freak out
Is “spiral out” formal or informal?
spiral out is generally informal.