keep a tight rein on

verb

To exercise strict control over; keep in check.

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Meanings

verbkeep 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)

present singular third person keeps a tight rein on · participle present keeping a tight rein on · participle past kept a tight rein on · past kept a tight rein on

  1. To exercise strict control over; keep in check.

    Class "8F" 2-8-0 No. 48501 keeps a tight rein on heavily loaded northbound hoppers as it descends the 1 in 90 gradient.

    1960 April, J. P. Wilson, E. N. C. Haywood, “The route through the Peak - Derby to Manchester: Part Two”, in Trains Illustrated, page 226, photo caption
Cite this entry
APA

keep a tight rein on. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/keep%20a%20tight%20rein%20on

MLA

“keep a tight rein on.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/keep%20a%20tight%20rein%20on. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “keep a tight rein on,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/keep%20a%20tight%20rein%20on.

Source: keep a tight rein on on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.