held the reins
Was in charge
To hold the reins is to be in control or command of something, from the literal act of guiding a horse by its straps.
Someone who holds the reins directs operations or makes decisions: She held the reins of the company for two decades.
The past tense held the reins typically describes a period of leadership now concluded or being discussed historically.
- holdMaintain in grasp
- powerEnergy transfer rate
- governanceHow authority is exercised
- stewardshipResponsible care of entrusted things
- bridleEquine control harness
tight grip · horseman · command · influence · mastery · saddle · equestrianism · authority figure · delegation · driver's seat · captaincy · power struggle · backseat driver · at the helm · strategy · helm · decision-making · responsibility