'To rein in' definitions:

Definition of 'To rein in'

From: GCIDE
  • Rein \Rein\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Reined (r?nd); p. pr. & vb. n. Reining.]
  • 1. To govern or direct with the reins; as, to rein a horse one way or another. [1913 Webster]
  • He mounts and reins his horse. --Chapman. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To restrain; to control; to check. [1913 Webster]
  • Being once chafed, he can not Be reined again to temperance. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • To rein in or To rein up, (a) to check the speed of, or cause to stop, by drawing the reins. Hence, (a) to cause (a person) to slow down or cease some activity; -- to rein in is used commonly of superiors in a chain of command, ordering a subordinate to moderate or cease some activity deemed excessive. [1913 Webster +PJC]