to begin controlling an organization or a country.

She offered good advice to the new Speaker as he took over the reins of leadership in the House of Representatives.

Etymology: based on the idea that the person who handles the reins (= straps) that control a horse has control of the vehicle the horse is pulling

• your tail between legs
• your tail between your legs
• your two cents
• your two cents worth
• your way out of a paper bag
• your wedding tackle
• your whole world came crashing down around
• your whole world came crashing down around you
• you said it
• You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.
• You should be so lucky!
• You've got me there.
• You've made your bed .
• You've made your bed and you'll have to lie in it.
• You wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.
• You wouldn't wish on your worst enemy.
• You wouldn't wish something on my worst enemy.
• You wouldn't wish something on your worst enemy.
• zero in
• zero in on
• zero in on something
• zero-sum game
• zone out
• zoom in
• zoom in on