Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense reins, present participle reining, past tense, past participle reined
1. plural noun
Reins are the thin leather straps attached round a horse's neck which are used to control the horse.
2. plural noun
Journalists sometimes use the expression the reins or the reins of power to refer to the control of a country or organization.
He was determined to see the party keep a hold on the reins of power.
3.
See give free rein to/give full rein to
4.
See to keep a tight rein on
Phrasal verbs:
See rein back
See rein in
More Synonyms of rein
rein in British English
(reɪn)
noun
1. (often plural)
one of a pair of long straps, usually connected together and made of leather, used to control a horse, running from the side of the bit or the headstall to the hand of the rider, driver, or trainer
2.
a similar device used to control a very young child
3.
any form or means of control
to take up the reins of government
4.
the direction in which a rider turns (in phrases such as on a left (or right) rein, change the rein)
5.
something that restrains, controls, or guides
6. give free rein
7. keep a tight rein on
8. on a long rein
9. shorten the reins
verb
10. (transitive)
to check, restrain, hold back, or halt with or as if with reins
11.
to control or guide (a horse) with a rein or reins
they reined left
▶ USAGE See note at reign
Word origin
C13: from Old French resne, from Latin retinēre to hold back, from re- + tenēre to hold; see restrain
rein in American English
(reɪn)
noun
1.
a narrow strap of leather attached to each end of the bit in the mouth of a horse, and held by the rider or driver to control the animal
usually used in pl.
2. [pl.]
a means of guiding, controlling, checking, or restraining
the reins of government
verb transitive
3.
to guide, control, check, or restrain with or as with reins
verb intransitive
4.
to stop or slow down a horse, etc. with or as with reins
with in or up
5. Archaic
to submit to or be controlled by reins
said of a horse
Idioms:
draw rein
give (free) rein to
keep a rein on
Word origin
ME rene < OFr resne < VL *retina < L retinere: see retain
More idioms containing
rein
give someone free rein
keep a tight rein on someone or something
Examples of 'rein' in a sentence
rein
Now it sounds as if ministers are beginning to tire of this tight rein.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But the 50-year-old left without anyone having been appointed to take the reins.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This gives a free rein to prejudice and inconsistency where the outcome can be as serious to a plaintiff as a judgment in a civil court.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Tank units evolved from the cavalry regiments and the controls are like the reins of a horse.
The Sun (2015)
My parents gave me a lot of freedom and a long rein.
Davey, Ray Rev. & Cole, John A Channel of Peace (1993)
Now it is rein back hard on lending to save the bank and your job.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He gives me free rein to let fly.
The Sun (2013)
The planners keep a tight rein on building work.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The group was keeping a tight rein on costs.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
You just need to let her take the reins.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
He reined in his horse and slid from the saddle.
Iain Gale Man of Honour (2007)
More worrying is what happens to those struggling when consumers really rein back in the new year.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The difficulty now is to keep a tight rein on the dreams.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The department insists it keeps a tight rein on spending.
The Sun (2013)
His personality had emerged from blinkers and his sense of humour was being given a more free rein.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
We identified a number of ideas which would allow space for these aspects to be given free rein outside working hours.
Pearson, Althea Growing Through Loss and Grief (1994)
It was a job that required him to play his trombone while steering a horse by reins attached to his knees.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The church doesn't hold the reins of power well.
Christianity Today (2000)
She said her father was leading the horse on a long rein when tragedy struck on Sunday.
The Sun (2012)
Of course, few bosses want to surrender the reins of power.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
And the less she needed him, the more he tried to keep hold of the reins.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
But as long as anarchy reins onshore, little will change at sea.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
She was given free rein for her first Fendi foray.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
I had a go at sharing the reins of power and responsibility with him.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
A growing possibility is for Carver to be handed the reins for the rest of the season.
The Sun (2014)
Word lists with
rein
Tack and equipment and their parts
In other languages
rein
British English: rein NOUN
Reins are the thin leather straps attached round a horse's neck which are used to control the horse.
He held the reins while the stallion tugged and snorted.
American English: rein
Brazilian Portuguese: rédea
Chinese: 缰绳
European Spanish: rienda
French: rêne
German: Zügel
Italian: redini
Japanese: 手綱
Korean: 고삐
European Portuguese: rédea
Latin American Spanish: rienda
All related terms of 'rein'
rein in
To rein in something means to control it.
draw rein
to tighten the reins
free rein
unhampered freedom of movement, choice , or action
neck-rein
to go to the right if the left rein is lightly pressed against the neck or to the left if the right rein is so pressed
rein back
To rein back something such as spending means to control it strictly.
bearing rein
a rein from the bit to the saddle , designed to keep the horse's head in the desired position
leading rein
a rein used to lead a horse
give free rein
to allow considerable freedom ; remove restraints
keep a rein on
to check , control, or restrain
on a long rein
with the reins held loosely so that the horse is relatively unconstrained
give (free) rein to
to allow to act without restraint
give someone free rein
to give someone all the freedom they want or need to do something
keep a tight rein on
to control carefully; limit
to give someone free rein
If you give free rein to someone, you give them a lot of freedom to do what they want .
to keep a tight rein on
If you keep a tight rein on someone, you control them firmly.
give free rein to/give full rein to
If you give free rein to someone, you give them a lot of freedom to do what they want .
keep a tight rein on someone or something
to control someone or something firmly
Chinese translation of 'rein'
rein
(reɪn)
n(c)
(for horse) 缰(韁)绳(繩) (jiāngshéng) (根, gēn)
to give sb free rein给(給)予某人充分自由 (jǐyǔ mǒurén chōngfèn zìyóu)
to keep a tight rein on sth严(嚴)密地控制某事 (yánmì de kòngzhì mǒushì)
(noun)
Definition
narrow straps attached to a harness to control a young child
He wrapped his horse's reins round his left wrist.
Synonyms
control
There are to be tighter controls on land speculation.
harness
bridle
She dismounted and took her horse's bridle.
hold
It's always useful to have a hold over people.
check
There is a check on the number of people allowed in the venue.
restriction
the relaxation of travel restrictions
brake
Illness had put a brake on his progress.
curb
He called for much stricter curbs on spending.
restraint
Criminals could cross into the country without restraint.
idiom
See give (a) free rein to something or someone
Phrasal verbs
See rein someone in
See rein something in or back
see reign
Additional synonyms
in the sense of brake
Definition
something that slows down or stops progress
Illness had put a brake on his progress.
Synonyms
control,
check,
curb,
restraint,
constraint,
rein,
damper
in the sense of bridle
Definition
something that curbs or restrains
She dismounted and took her horse's bridle.
Synonyms
rein,
curb,
control,
check,
restraint,
trammels
in the sense of check
Definition
a means to ensure against fraud or error
There is a check on the number of people allowed in the venue.
Synonyms
control,
limitation,
restraint,
constraint,
rein,
obstacle,
curb,
obstruction,
stoppage,
inhibition,
impediment,
hindrance,
damper
Synonyms of 'rein'
rein
Explore 'rein' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of curb
Definition
something that restrains or holds back
He called for much stricter curbs on spending.
Synonyms
restraint,
control,
check,
brake,
limitation,
rein,
deterrent,
bridle
in the sense of hold
Definition
controlling influence
It's always useful to have a hold over people.
Synonyms
control,
authority,
influence,
pull (informal),
sway,
dominance,
clout (informal),
mastery,
dominion,
ascendancy,
mana (New Zealand),
HD
in the sense of restraint
Definition
something that restrains
Criminals could cross into the country without restraint.
Synonyms
limitation,
limit,
check,
ban,
boycott,
embargo,
curb,
rein,
taboo,
bridle,
disqualification,
interdict,
restraining order (US)
in the sense of restriction
Definition
a rule or situation that limits or controls something or someone