pull the reins in on something

English

Etymology

Metaphor, referring to the control of a horse.

Verb

pull the reins in on something (third-person singular simple present pulls the reins in on something, present participle pulling the reins in on something, simple past and past participle pulled the reins in on something)

1. To restrict, curtail, curb; to slow down or reduce.
   • 1989 July 24, Compnies still backing the efforts of net managers, editorial in Network World, page 28,

     It's anyone's guess whether Union Carbide Industrial Gases will ever pull the reins in on network projects in the face of slow business.

   • 2006, Chris Previc, The Student's Guide to Marching, page 115:

     The tendency will be to take smaller steps when your legs cross and larger steps when your legs uncross. Pull the reins in on the uncross and extend assertively on the cross over.

   • 2009, Steve McKee, When Growth Stalls: How it Happens, Why You're Stuck, and What to Do about it, page 102:

     In theory, high unemployment should temper inflation, as consumers pull the reins in on spending and prices come down.

See also

• pull the reins in on someone