Rein, reign, go away

We all love a good metaphor and catchy idiom. They add a burst of color to what we say and write and often help make unexciting concepts seem much more interesting. But use the wrong metaphor or idiom, and it’s likely your audience will get stuck on the blooper – and miss whatever else you’re trying to express.

Here, we look at the awfully similar-sounding words: rain, rein, and reign – and try to make sense of the last two, which have been known to get a writer or two in trouble.

Here are some common expressions that use these three homophones (or words that sound the same but differ in meaning):

1. To rain on someone’s parade.
2. To give someone free rein OR to rein someone in.
3. To give someone free reign OR to reign supreme.

Number 1 is clear enough – so let’s forget “rain” for now. But numbers 2 and 3 can cause quite a headache.

The debate about giving free rein to 'free reign'?
Imagine a girls’ shoe called Summer Queen. You want to say something fun about it, so you write: “The Summer Queen gives your little girl free reign over the playground.” You choose “reign” because it means to rule, and that fits well with a queen. A perfect sentence – right?

Wrong (maybe). Little did you know you just stumbled across a great debate in the world of words.

The original expression, “to give free rein,” refers to letting go of the horse’s reins (the ropes used to control the horse) so the animal can roam free. And purists/traditionalists argue that you cannot simply slip in “reign” and alter the age-old idiom.

But more open-minded folk argue that you can, because if a queen or king’s power is unchecked, that monarch technically has “free reign” over the people.

How can you know for sure if you’re right?
It’s not easy. 

Google is of no help here, giving 528,000 results for “free reign” and 529,000 for “free rein.”

Another popular site, “The Free Dictionary,” allows both, giving examples like “The boss gave the manager free rein with the new project” and “The owners gave the chef free reign to create a new menu.”

And on Amazon.com, you’ll find Rosemary Aubert's mystery novel “Free Reign” alongside Andre Breton’s “Free Rein” on the virtual bookcase.

So what do we suggest you do? Well, it depends on whether you’re a traditionalist or a bit of a rebel.

We’ll say this: language evolves, and it seems to us that as long as it evolves intelligently and makes sense, we should remain open to new possibilities.

When it comes to rein and reign, why not use “free reign” when you’re referring to ruling over someone or something – and stick to “free rein” when the imagery you’re going for is more about roaming free?

If the shoe fits, why not wear it? And if the phrase makes sense, why not use it? It sure keeps language more dynamic and interesting.

 

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Did you know...?
An idiom is an expression whose meaning is not predictable from the usual meanings of its constituent elements, as kick the bucket or hang one's head.

A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance, as in “A mighty fortress is our God.”