took the reins
Stepped into leadership
Took the reins means assumed control or leadership of something, drawing from the image of a rider grasping the straps used to guide a horse.
Someone who takes the reins of a company, organization, or situation becomes the person directing its course.
She took the reins of the department after the previous director retired.
The expression emphasizes an active assumption of authority rather than having it passively conferred.
- bridleEquine control harness
- in the driver's seatHaving control or authority
- at the helmLeading an organization
- successionFollowing in order
- passing the torchTransferring responsibility to another
direct · command · seize control · handover · govern · accountability · obligation · stewardship · take · captain · ownership · manage · duty · supervise · shift · preside · step up · helm
took the reinsstepped down
abdicated · stepped aside · stood down · delegated authority · resigned
took the reinstook a back seat
Became less prominent
deferred · submitted · fell in line · went along · hung back
taken, taking, takes, taker, undertaking, rein, reins, reined, reining