rein

1. noun

there is no rein on his behavior

Syn:

restraint, check, curb, constraint, restriction, limitation, control, brake

See note at reign

2. verb

they reined back costs

- free rein

- keep a tight rein on

Syn:

restrain, check, curb, constrain, hold back/in, keep under control, regulate, restrict, control, curtail, limit

See note at reign

••

rein, reign

Like many homophones, these words are frequently mistaken for each other in print — but perhaps no other pair is confused in so many different ways. Rein in, not reign in, is the correct phrase for "check, restrain." The metaphorical image is of the rider pulling on the reins of the horse to slow down (i.e., "hold your horses") — e.g.: "With every disclosure it becomes clearer that Yeltsin is unwilling or unable to reign in [read rein in] his protégé." (Times Magazine [London]; Mar. 11, 1995.)

The error also occurs with the noun forms: one holds the reins, not the reigns — e.g.:

• "Ron Low has a hold of the Oilers’ reigns [read reins] for now, but should he not work out, look for former Canucks and Flyers coach Bob McCammon to take over as coach next season." (Tampa Tribune; Apr. 16, 1995.)

• "In other cases, the computer recommended keeping tighter reign [read rein] on inventory, pressing the vendor for more discounts, or raising prices." (New York Times; May, 20, 2001.)

The opposite error (rein for reign) occurs as well — e.g.:

• "His rein [read reign] as Fort Meade's tobacco-chewing, play-calling leader ended abruptly in September 1993." (Tampa Tribune; Sept. 1, 1995.)

• "Confusion reined [read reigned] when everyone within a five-mile radius was asked to evacuate." (Houston Chronicle; Jan. 4, 2003.) — BG