Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense reins, present participle reining, past tense, past participle reined
1N-PLURAL (马的)缰绳Reins are the thin leather straps attached round a horse's neck which are used to control the horse. (马的)缰绳
2N-PLURAL (新闻用语)支配权,控制权 Journalists sometimes use the expression the reins or the reins of power to refer to the control of a country or organization. (新闻用语)支配权,控制权
He was determined to see the party keep a hold on the reins of power.
他决意要确保这个政党掌握政权。
3PHRASE 放任;不管;纵容 If you give free rein to someone, you give them a lot of freedom to do what they want. 放任;不管;纵容
The government continued to believe it should give free rein to the private sector in transport.
政府仍然认为应该给予交通领域的私营企业以经营自由。
4PHRASE 严加控制;严格管束 If you keep a tight rein on someone, you control them firmly. 严加控制;严格管束
Her parents had kept her on a tight rein with their narrow and inflexible views.