Sample sentences for REIN - verbalworkout.com

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Definition

to restrain or control; or a means of control

The meaning of rein depends upon its context. For example:

"keep a tight rein on the new employee," or "rein in a horse" — to control or restrain
"give the new employee free rein," or "give the horse full rein" — do not restrain
"the reins of government" — means of control
"the reins of the horse" — leather straps used with a bit to control a horse (You might like to think of other senses of rein as being figurative derivations from this sense.)

To "rein in" or to "keep a tight rein" is to restrain.

To "give free rein" is not to restrain (not to exercise control over)

The court reined in agency power—describing it as out of control.

reined in = restrained

She took up the reins of government.

reins = means of control

I try to keep a tight rein on my emotions when I talk with her.

rein = control

Keep a tight rein on that horse.

rein = leather strap (that is used with a bit to control a horse)

She is committed to reining in excessive government infringement of personal freedom.

reining in = restraining

He reined the horse around
Hal Borland -- When the Legends Die

reined = forced (the horse) in a direction by pulling on straps that are attached to the bit in its mouth

He let go the reins of command.
Michael Shaara -- The Killer Angels

reins = means of control

Frog Lip reined in his horse and watched as both cows fell through the roof of the sod house.
Larry McMurtry -- Lonesome Dove

reined in = restrained or controlled (by pulling on straps used to control a horse)

He reins the horse round, and wheels to face the parents.
Peter Shaffer -- Equus

reins = forces (the horse) in a direction by pulling on straps that are attached to the bit in its mouth

(no bits or reins were needed in these days, of course)
George Orwell -- Animal Farm

reins = leather straps used with a bit to control a horse

At the crest of a hill, with Heart Palace visible on the horizon, Nolan reined in his spirit-dane.
Frank Beddor -- The Looking Glass Wars

reined in = restrained (stopped by pulling on straps used to control a horse)

He reined the mare in tight and kept his heels hard against her sides to let her know he meant business.
Leslie Marmon Silko -- Ceremony

reined = restrained or controlled

I picked up them reins and commenced to whupping on him.
August Wilson -- Fences

reins = straps used to control a horse

Dark lines appeared on Brom's forehead as he reined Snowfire to a halt.
Christopher Paolini -- Eragon

reined = restrained or controlled

He held back on the reins and the horse stopped.
Ernest J. Gaines -- The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman

reins = straps used to control a horse

If I'm not to hold on by the reins or by your mane, what am I to hold on by?
C.S. Lewis -- The Horse and His Boy

reins = straps used to control a horse

What Grandpa would of really enjoyed, haw, was the sight of Mr. Birdsong reining in the black horses pulling his ambulance-hearse just as our procession turned into the street!
Olive Ann Burns -- Cold Sassy Tree

reining in = restraining

Lale steps in front of the animal, forcing the man to rein it in.
Heather Morris -- The Tattooist of Auschwitz

rein = restrain or control

He tries desperately to rein himself in as Mengele arrives.
Heather Morris -- The Tattooist of Auschwitz

rein = restrain or control

The reins, the halters, the blinkers, the degrading nosebags, were thrown on to the rubbish fire which was burning in the yard.
George Orwell -- Animal Farm

reins = leather straps used with a bit to control a horse

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