take the reins
Start directing things
To take the reins is to assume control or leadership, from the image of grasping a horse's reins to guide it.
Someone takes the reins of a company, project, or situation when they become the one directing it: She took the reins after the founder retired.
The phrase implies active, hands-on management rather than nominal authority.
- governExercise political control
- run the showControl an operation
- spearheadingLeading an initiative
- crack the whipAssert stern authority
- controlAuthority to direct
seize control · lead · call the shots · orchestrating · command · rule the roost · wear the pants · top dog · stewardship · at the helm · in the driver's seat · piloting · steering · captaincy · managing · authority · guiding · navigating
- Leadership idiomslead by example, at the helm, call the shots, run the show, head honcho
- leadership verbslead, command, direct, manage, supervise
- takeovertakeover, seize power, seizure, coup d'etat, hostile takeover
- powerauthority, electric power, nuclear power, solar power, wind power
- accountabilityaccountability, responsibility, accountable, answerability, responsible
- Horse Idiomshold your horses, dark horse, high horse, straight from the horse's mouth, horse sense
take the reinsstep down
Voluntarily leave power
abdicate · delegate · defer · follow orders · take a back seat
take, taken, taking, overtake, takes, undertaking, undertake, rein, retake