Cool MateControl vs Tame it
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Control
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Tame it
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Control
| Control | Tame it | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈtrəʊl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈtrəʊl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //teɪm ɪt//🇺🇸 //teɪm ɪt// |
| Meaning | To have power over something or someone. | To control or manage something that is wild or difficult. |
| Example | She learned how to take control of the situation during the meeting. | He managed to tame it after months of training. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | absolute, complete, full, have, achieve, assert, freak, beyond your control, outside your control, in control (of), circumstances beyond somebody’s control, absolute, complete, full, have, achieve, assert, freak, beyond your control, outside your control, in control (of), circumstances beyond somebody’s control, strict, stringent, tight, implement, impose, introduce, control on, remote, volume, cruise, take, panel, device, stick, at the controls | tame it down, tame it up, tame it quickly |
| Antonyms | lose, surrender, release | - |
| Common mistakes | 'Control' is sometimes confused with 'manage' although 'manage' implies more overall organization., Learners may use 'control' with reflexive pronouns incorrectly, e.g., 'control myself' instead of just 'control'., Misusing 'control' in a physical sense, like 'control the ball' instead of 'handle the ball'. | Using 'tame' with the wrong subject, like 'tame your feelings' instead of 'control your feelings'., Confusing 'tame it' with 'tame' as an adjective., Misusing the phrase in overly formal situations. |
| Usage notes | Use 'control' when talking about managing situations or people's behavior. Avoid using it in overly casual conversations as it may imply dominance. | Used in contexts where someone is trying to control or train a difficult situation or animal. Generally applicable in both casual and formal discussions. |
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Frequently asked questions: Control vs Tame it
What's the difference between Control and Tame it?
Control: To have power over something or someone. Tame it: To control or manage something that is wild or difficult.
Which is more common: Control and Tame it?
Control is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Control: She learned how to take control of the situation during the meeting. Tame it: He managed to tame it after months of training.
Can I use Control and Tame it interchangeably?
Not always. Control and Tame it are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.