keep a tight rein on
English
Verb
keep a tight rein on (third-person singular simple present keeps a tight rein on, present participle keeping a tight rein on, simple past and past participle kept a tight rein on)
- To exercise strict control over; keep in check.
- 1960 April, J. P. Wilson and E. N. C. Haywood, “The route through the Peak - Derby to Manchester: Part Two”, in Trains Illustrated, page 226, photo caption:
- Class "8F" 2-8-0 No. 48501 keeps a tight rein on heavily loaded northbound hoppers as it descends the 1 in 90 gradient.
References
- “keep a tight rein on” in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press.