reins

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. I built up the business, but I handed over the reins to my daughter last year. (often + to)

See also: hand, over

loosen/relax the reins

tighten the reins - to start to control something or someone more carefully. The Government has relaxed the reins on wage control to boost consumer spending. (often + on)

See also: loosen

take over/up the reins

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

See also: over, take

tighten the reins

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

See also: tighten

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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: over, take