hold the reins
English
editEtymology
editA metaphor, based on the usual method of controlling a horse or a team of horses.
Pronunciation
editAudio (General Australian): (file)
Verb
edithold the reins (third-person singular simple present holds the reins, present participle holding the reins, simple past and past participle held the reins)
- (idiomatic) To be in charge, to be in control, as of a business, political organization, or other group.
- 1918 November 11, “Washington Believes Foch Will Still Accept Envoys' Signatures”, in Toronto World, page 1:
- These terms . . . will place the future behavior of Germany at the dictation of the associated powers regardless of what form of provisional government may hold the reins at Berlin.
- 1996 October 7, Michael Serrill, “Mexico's Black Mood”, in Time:
- The convention also delivered a slap to the technocrats who have held the reins of government for more than a decade.
- 2003 April 20, Cathy Lynn Grossman, “Baptist missionaries at odds with church”, in USA Today:
- While conservatives hold the reins at the SBC, moderates have retained control of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
Translations
editto be in charge
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