Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
loosen-the-reins
idiom
/ˈluː.sən ðə reɪnz/
Definition
To relax control or restrictions over someone or something.
Examples
- After months of strict guidelines, the coach decided to loosen the reins and let the players play how they wanted.
- Parents sometimes need to loosen the reins a bit to help their children grow more independent.
Meaning
The phrase ‘loosen the reins’ comes from the act of loosening the reins of a horse to give it more freedom to move. In a metaphorical context, it means to allow someone more freedom or less supervision.
Synonyms
- Relax control
- Ease up
- Let go
- Be less strict
