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reign in

C1 informal separable transitive
In simple words

to stop something from getting too strong or too much

Literal meaning: to rule inward

Meanings

1 C1 idiomatic informal

to control, limit, or hold back something

"The company is trying to reign in unnecessary expenses."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Most dictionaries and style guides prefer 'rein in'. 'Reign in' appears frequently in edited writing but is widely treated as an error or spelling variant caused by confusion with 'reign'.

Commonly used with

spending inflation emotions power excesses budget

Forms

Base
reign in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
reigns in
he/she/it
Past simple
reigned in
yesterday
Past participle
reigned in
have + pp
-ing form
reigning in
continuous

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Synonyms

rein in control curb hold back restrain limit

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