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rein Definition

rein (rān)

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. a means of guiding, controlling, checking, or restraining the reins of government

Etymology: ME rene < OFr resne < VL *retina < L retinere: see retain

transitive verb

to guide, control, check, or restrain with or as with reins

intransitive verb

  1. to stop or slow down a horse, etc. with or as with reins: with in or up
  2. Archaic to submit to or be controlled by reins: said of a horse

  • reinaugurate

rein Idioms

draw rein

  1. to tighten the reins
  2. to slow down or stop

give (free) rein to

to allow to act without restraint

keep a rein on

to check, control, or restrain

rein Synonyms

rein

n.

bridle strap, line, control; see halter 1, restraint 2.

draw rein<strong> <em>or</em> </strong>draw in the reins

slow down, cease, come to a stop, pull up; see halt 2, stop 1.

give free rein to

authorize, permit, indulge, give carte blanche; see allow 1.

keep a rein on

control, check, have authority over; see manage 1, restrain 1.

rein Usage Examples

Object

horse: Curb bits are also used to achieve " vertical flexion " in highly trained dressage or reining horses.

Converse of object

  • loosen: You can't have liberal trading rulings without loosening the political reins.
  • retake: Dollars brings bettors grid from the retook the reins will be better.
  • tighten: In Germany, government measures to tighten the reins on healthcare spending have resulted in an upsurge in cheaper imported medicines.
  • seize: James then seized the reins of government in Scotland himself.
  • hold: Iraq's Sunni Muslim minority held the reins of power during Saddam Hussein's rule.
  • assume: In many instances governments tried to create educated social classes to help run colonial civil services, which later assumed the reins of power.

Adjective modifier

  • tight: Keeping a tight rein on proceedings will be veteran MP the Rt.
  • free: At the same time a blackout gives them free rein on the city streets, allowing them to get away with murder.
  • loose: Have you tried to walk her on a long, loose rein to get her to stretch & relax?
  • full: Leslie's great interests in wine was given full rein with his own series Grantham's Grapes.
  • lead: At four years, they must remain on the lead rein.
  • left: She would not leave my side, twisting back to the left rein whenever she could.

Modifies a noun

pony: She is a perfect lead rein pony, 100 % in all ways.

Modifying Another Word

back: The ruling elite in Europe had to figure out a way to rein back control of the planet.

Noun used with modifier

  • snaffle: Busy with curb and snaffle reins, head bent, into her oval face a tint of color crept.
  • draw: It relies entirely on rider skill, depending on the use of the draw reins to encourage correct head carriage.

Preposition: in

spending: It is expected to find ways to rein in current spending on Esol.

Preposition: of

  • power: Tinker hands over the reins of power to the real King, who now has the full support of his people.
  • government: James then seized the reins of government in Scotland himself.