saddle

be in the saddle

to be in control of a situation. With a new leader firmly in the saddle the party looks set for victory at the next election.

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back in the saddle

doing something you stopped doing for a period of time. Friedman's career seemed to be finished a month ago, but he's back in the saddle and playing for Houston.

See also: back

in the saddle

in control. It looks like those who oppose environmental controls are going to be in the saddle.

in the driver's seat

Etymology: based on the idea that someone who is in the saddle (= seat fastened on the back of a horse) controls the horse's movements

saddle someone/something with something

to give someone or something a difficult responsibility. Student aid often comes as loans, which can saddle students with debt for years. I hope I'm not going to be saddled with all the cooking on this vacation. The company was saddled with many lawsuits.