Noun
He has people working for him, but he has a tight rein on every part of the process.
after the president resigned, the vice president stepped in and took the reins of the company Verb
try to rein in your spending, so you have some money left for saving
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Noun
The film’s version of events begins with a vicious struggle for the reins of the titular kerskoor, dividing the town into no-go zones as opposing families split into enemy camps.—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 11 Mar. 2025 The 71-year-old will remain in office through a three-month transition period before handing off the reins to the new President on Olympic Day on June 23.—Blythe Lawrence, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
But some rival studio executives ultimately feel the Mouse House made a tactical mistake in casting the outspoken Romeo + Juliet actress and failing to rein her in.—Chris Lee, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025 In short, Trump-Musk incompetence and recklessness may — just may — discredit the vandals in Washington and rein them in.—Nicholas Kristof, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rein
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English reine, from Anglo-French resne, reine, from Vulgar Latin *retina, from Latin retinēre to restrain — more at retain
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