give free rein to

G g

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [giv free reyn too]
- /gɪv fri reɪn tu/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [giv free reyn too]
- /gɪv fri reɪn tu/

Definitions of give free rein to words

noun give free rein to Often, reins. a leather strap, fastened to each end of the bit of a bridle, by which the rider or driver controls a horse or other animal by pulling so as to exert pressure on the bit. 1
noun give free rein to any of certain other straps or thongs forming part of a harness, as a checkrein. 1
noun give free rein to any means of curbing, controlling, or directing; check; restraint. 1
noun give free rein to reins, the controlling or directing power: the reins of government. 1
verb with object give free rein to to check or guide (a horse or other animal) by exerting pressure on a bridle bit by means of the reins. 1
verb with object give free rein to to curb; restrain; control. 1

See all 10 definitions of give free rein to

Information block about the term

Origin of give free rein to

First appearance:

before 1300

One of the 15% oldest English words

1300-50; (noun) Middle English rene, reine, raine < Old French re(s)ne < Vulgar Latin *retina, noun derivative of Latin retinēre to hold back, retain; (v.) Middle English rainen, reinen, derivative of the noun

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Give free rein to

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Give free rein to

give free rein to popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 89% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

give free rein to usage trend in Literature

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