Rein - in Popular Expression

In Popular Expression

Look up free rein in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

In popular culture, to rein in means to hold back, slow down, control or limit. Sometimes the eggcorn, reign in, is used. Usage of the opposing free rein dates back to Geoffrey Chaucer (1343 - 1400) and means to give or allow complete freedom, in action and decision over something.

Read more about this topic:  Rein

Famous quotes containing the words popular and/or expression:

    Much of the ill-tempered railing against women that has characterized the popular writing of the last two years is a half-hearted attempt to find a way back to a more balanced relationship between our biological selves and the world we have built. So women are scolded both for being mothers and for not being mothers, for wanting to eat their cake and have it too, and for not wanting to eat their cake and have it too.
    Margaret Mead (1901–1978)

    All expression of truth does at length take this deep ethical form.
    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)