hold the reins

A metaphor, based on the usual method of controlling a horse or a team of horses.

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hold the reins (third-person singular simple present holds the reins, present participle holding the reins, simple past and past participle held the reins)

1. (idiomatic) To be in charge, to be in control, as of a business, political organization, or other group.
   • 1918 November 11, “Washington Believes Foch Will Still Accept Envoys' Signatures”, in Toronto World, page 1:

     These terms . . . will place the future behavior of Germany at the dictation of the associated powers regardless of what form of provisional government may hold the reins at Berlin.

   • 1996 October 7, Michael Serrill, “Mexico's Black Mood”, in Time:

     The convention also delivered a slap to the technocrats who have held the reins of government for more than a decade.

   • 2003 April 20, Cathy Lynn Grossman, “Baptist missionaries at odds with church”, in USA Today:

     While conservatives hold the reins at the SBC, moderates have retained control of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

• bit between one's teeth
• take the reins