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reins

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draw in the reins

1. Literally, to pull in the reins of a bridled animal, especially a horse, to slow it down or bring it to a stop. Mary drew in the reins as she approached town, bringing her horse to a saunter.

2. By extension, to slow something down or bring it to a stop. During the economic boom, our company was making as many risky investments as we could find. Luckily, our CEO had the sense to draw in the reins on such recklessness before the economy crashed.

See also: draw, reins

hold the reins

To have or be in control, especially of a group, project, or situation. Though my grandfather was the breadwinner, it was my grandmother who truly held the reins in their house. The boss decided she'd hold the reins on this project after the assistant manager bungled the last one so badly.

See also: hold, reins

pull in the reins

To begin doing something more carefully or cautiously; to regain or tighten control over someone or something. This thesis you're planning is becoming wildly unfocused—I think you should pull in the reins a bit! I wish those parents would pull in the reins on their kids—the little devils are tearing the place apart!

See also: pull, reins

take the rein(s)

To take or assume control (of something). After the CEO announced that she had been diagnosed with dementia, her daughter gradually began taking the reins of the company. I don't know why people are so utterly terrified of letting the federal government take the rein when it comes to things like healthcare.

See also: take

take over the reins

to begin controlling an organization or a country She offered good advice to the new Speaker as he took over the reins of leadership in the House of Representatives.

Etymology: based on the idea that the person who handles the reins (straps) that control a horse has control of the vehicle the horse is pulling

See also: reins, take

hand over the reins

to allow someone else to control something you controlled previously, especially an organization or a country Company chiefs are often reluctant to hand over the reins of power to younger people. (often + to ) I built up the business, but I handed over the reins to my daughter last year.

See also: hand, reins

take over/up the reins

to take control of something, especially an organization or a country (often + of ) He took up the reins of government immediately after the coup.

See hand over the reins, tighten the reins

See also: reins, take

tighten the reins

to start to control something or someone more carefully (often + on ) She has tightened the reins on her younger sons in an effort to curb their wild behaviour before it's too late.

See also: reins, tighten

draw in the reins

Come to a halt, back down. For example, During a recession, many businesses are forced to draw in the reins on expansion. This expression transfers the means of stopping a horse to other kinds of restraint.

See also: draw, reins

draw in the reins

1. To slow down or stop a horse or other animal by putting pressure on the reins.

2. To restrain or control.

See also: draw, reins