reins
n. C / Un. the long leather straps used to control a horse. You pull on them to tell the animal which way to go or when to stop.
n. long, narrow straps attached to a bit and held by the rider or driver, used to control a horse or other animal. Frequently used in the plural form; often appears in metaphorical expressions regarding control or leadership.
She pulled the reins to stop the horse.
The rider gripped the leather reins tightly as the horse began to gallop across the open field.
After the CEO retired, the young executive finally took the reins of the company, steering the organization toward a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.
See rein
From Old French reins, see also rein in French.
Usually used in the plural ('reins') when referring to the physical straps or the concept of control.