rein (redirected from keeping a tight rein on)

give free rein to someone and give someone free rein

Fig. to allow someone to be completely in charge (of something). (Alludes to loosening the reins of a horse and therefore control.) The boss gave the manager free rein with the new project. The principal gave free rein to Mrs. Brown in her classes.

See also: free, give

keep a tight rein on someone or something and keep a close rein on someone or something

Fig. to watch and control someone or something diligently. (Alludes to controlling a horse by a tight grip on the reins.) The office manager kept a tight rein on the staff. Mary keeps a close rein on her children.

See also: keep, tight

rein someone or something in

to bring someone or something under control; to slow down someone or something. Fred is getting out of hand. The boss undertook to rein him in a bit. The boss is trying to rein in Jane's enthusiasm.

rein something up

to bring something, usually a horse, to a stop. She reined her horse up and stopped for a chat. Rein up your horse and stop for a while.

See also: up

rein back on someone or something

to control or diminish the intensity of someone or something. The manager was urged to rein back on her assigning overtime. She reined back on expenses and demanded that others do likewise.

See also: back

rein up

[for a horse rider] to stop. The equestrian reined up and dismounted. We all reined up and waited for the cars to pass by.

See also: up

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allow/give somebody (a) free rein

to allow someone to do what they want or go where they want to (often + to do sth) The older kids were given free rein to do whatever they wanted. We shut the kitten out of the bedroom but allowed her free rein in the rest of the apartment.

See also: allow, free

allow/give something (a) free rein

if you give ideas or emotions free rein, you allow them to develop and do not try to control them With all these materials available, we can give our creativity free rein.

See also: allow, free

keep a tight rein on somebody/something   also keep somebody/something on a tight rein

to have a lot of control over someone or something He made ends meet by keeping a tight rein on his budget. Our parents always kept us on a pretty tight rein.

See also: keep, tight

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give somebody/something (a) free rein also give (a) free reign to somebody/something

to allow someone or something complete freedom The owners gave the chef free reign to create a new menu. She was afraid to give free rein to her feelings.

See also: free, give

keep a tight rein on somebody/something

to control someone or something carefully Clarke has consistently pointed to the need to keep a tight rein on government finances. He kept a tight rein on his daughter.

See also: keep, tight

rein in somebody/something also rein somebody/something in

to control someone or something We should rein in our spending, balance our budget, and stop borrowing. Critics say they have run the company as a personal kingdom, pocketing the profits and ignoring anyone who tried to rein them in.