rein it in
Curb the excess
To rein it in is to restrain, slow down, or bring something under control—from the image of pulling back on a horse's reins.
The phrase applies to spending, emotions, ambitions, or any excess that needs curbing: The company needs to rein in costs, I had to rein in my temper.
Often shortened to rein it in as a direct command.
- curbRaised road margin
- restrainLimit freedom of movement
- hold backPrevent forward movement
- keep in checkControl or limit something
- bridleEquine control harness
harness · control · check · tame · leash · get a grip · throttle · brake · pump the brakes · temper · moderate · tone it down · contain · suppress · dial back · pull back · steady · grip
- scoldingscold, scolding, rebuke, berate, reprimand
- patience phraseswait, hold on, just a minute, one moment, one second
rein it inlet loose
Remove restraints from
let it rip · unleash · cut loose · let go · set free
rein it ingo wild
Lose all self-control
go all out · let it all hang out · crank it up · turn it up · go overboard
rein it insplurge
Spend freely, impulsively
spare no expense · loosen the purse strings · throw money around · live large · open the floodgates