to control one's feelings very strictly · to prevent oneself from showing strong emotions
Ever been in a situation where you're absolutely fuming inside, but you need to keep a poker face? 😠 Or maybe you're at a serious event and suddenly feel like bursting into tears, but you *really* can't? This expression is your go-to for describing that super intense self-control!
💡 **Pro-Tip!** This idiom comes from horse riding, where a 'rein' is used to control a horse. A 'tight rein' means strict, firm control! You use this phrase when you are actively, and often with effort, holding back strong feelings like anger, sadness, or even overwhelming excitement, to maintain your composure or professionalism. It's about the *act* of emotional restraint.
You're at a professional event, and someone just made a very rude comment about your work. You feel furious, but you decide not to react openly to avoid causing a scene. Which English expression best describes your action? A. to let your feelings show B. to keep a tight rein on one's emotions C. to throw a tantrum