Grammar fix
take the reins
take the lead
To become the person who leads and controls a group, organisation, or activity.
How oftenNow and then
LevelC1
Used inSpeech & writing
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
After the founder retired, his daughter took the reins of the company.
My older sister took the reins of our family business, and she introduced several useful changes.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: She took the rein of the company.
Say: She took the reins of the company.
The idiom normally uses the plural form 'reins'.
Don't confuse it
Other ways to say it
Start being the boss
How idiomaticPlainIdiom
take overBecoming responsible for running a project, business, or situation.take chargeActively becoming the person who directs what happens.
take the reinsYou're here · Taking leadership, especially from someone else.