rein in

rein in — phrasal verb

  • rein inbase form
  • reins in3rd person singular
  • reining in-ing form
  • reined inpast simple

1. to make something such as spending, a feeling, or an activity stay within strict

1.片語動詞及物B2
釋義

to make something such as spending, a feeling, or an activity stay within stricter limits before it grows too large or too strong

例句

The new mayor promised to rein in the city's runaway spending within a year.

rein in + abstract noun (spending)

Isabela had to rein in her temper when the customer started shouting at her.

rein in + emotion noun

同義詞
  • curb

    close synonym; slightly more formal, common with spending and pollution

  • control

    broader and neutral; lacks the sense of pulling something back from excess

  • restrain

    stresses holding back a force or feeling rather than setting limits

反義詞
  • unleash

    to release something so it can grow or act freely

文法句型

rein in + noun

rein + noun + in

用法筆記

Object is usually something that could grow out of control — spending, costs, emotions, ambitions, or a person's behaviour. Often used of authorities limiting an activity.

常見錯誤

❌The manager reined the costs.
✅The manager reined in the costs.
💡the particle 'in' is not optional in this meaning.

2. to pull back on the leather straps held in your hands so that a horse slows down

2.片語動詞及物C1
釋義

to pull back on the leather straps held in your hands so that a horse slows down or stops

例句

The rider reined in her horse sharply as a deer ran across the path.

rein in + horse, literal riding sense

Noor reined in the pony at the gate and waited for the children to climb down.

同義詞
  • halt

    to stop something, but without the idea of using reins

  • check

    literary; to stop a horse's movement suddenly

反義詞
  • spur

    to urge a horse to move faster

文法句型

rein in + the horse

用法筆記

Only sense used with an animal as the object. Distinguish from sense 1, which takes an abstract object such as spending or emotion.