take the reins

idiom

: to take control
The President-elect will officially take the reins in January.

Examples of take the reins in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Justin Fields will take the reins from here with a team ready to bust out and surprise the NFL world to start. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025 In the 1980s, McKissack Daniel’s father suffered a massive stroke, leaving her mother, Leatrice Buchanan McKissack, to take the reins of the company. Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025 With Connor Cade, Jonah Shine and Bo Bokman all graduated, who would stand up and take the reins at the forefront of Lakeville South’s potent rushing attack this fall? Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 30 Aug. 2025 The expectation was Penn State transfer Beau Pribula would start the first half, and redshirt junior Sam Horn would take the reins to start the second. Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for take the reins

Cite this Entry

“Take the reins.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20the%20reins. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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