take over the reins

take over the reins

To take or assume control (of something). After the CEO announced that she had been diagnosed with dementia, her daughter gradually began taking over the reins of the company. I don't know why people are so utterly terrified of letting the federal government take over the reins when it comes to things like healthcare.
See also: over, reins, take
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • come to heel
  • thick on the ground
  • thick/thin on the ground
  • drop into (one's) lap
  • drop/fall into somebody's lap
  • catch a tiger by the tail
  • the blame for (something)
  • crush it
  • be in the right spot at the right time
  • cook the books
References in periodicals archive
Eoin Morgan flew in from New Zeraland to take over the reins of the Karachi Kings from Imad Wasim.
After captaining England in the limited-overs segment in New Zealand, Morgan flew in to take over the reins of the Karachi Kings from Imad Wasim.
Belly will come back in and take over the reins and we will welcome the England boys back.