taken the reins
Seized the leadership
Taken the reins means assumed control or leadership of something, from the image of a rider grasping a horse's reins to direct it.
The phrase implies active command rather than passive authority: She's taken the reins of the company since the founder retired.
Often used when leadership transfers from one person to another.
- governanceHow authority is exercised
- choiceAct of selecting
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
- calling the shotsBeing the one deciding
- at the helmLeading an organization
direction · in the driver's seat · management · strategy · charge · stewardship · captaincy · execution · oversight · caretaking · accountability · supervision · planning · ownership · control · judgment · obligation · determination
taken the reinsstepped down
abdicated · delegated · bowed out · let go · stepped aside
taken the reinsdeferred
Set aside until later
submitted · acquiesced · fallen in line · taken a back seat · gone along with
take, taken, takes, taking, taker, takers, retake, retaken, retakes