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
The decision to keep Irving sidelined was anticipated, given the franchise turning the page with the midseason trade of Anthony Davis to prioritize the development of Cooper Flagg, their teenage sensation who’s positioned to take the reins of the franchise.
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Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
Yusef will take the reins of the organization going forward.
—Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
The selection is a big deal for Vast and for NASA, which wants private companies to take the reins from the ISS when it's decommissioned in 2030.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Woodside Energy boss Meg O’Neill is scheduled to take the reins at BP on April 1, following Murray Auchincloss’ decision to step down late last year.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
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Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
Yusef will take the reins of the organization going forward.
—Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
The selection is a big deal for Vast and for NASA, which wants private companies to take the reins from the ISS when it's decommissioned in 2030.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Woodside Energy boss Meg O’Neill is scheduled to take the reins at BP on April 1, following Murray Auchincloss’ decision to step down late last year.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
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 2 Mar. 2026.
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