Here's how to remember the difference between free reign vs. free rein, and why most people get it wrong
“Free Reign” Vs. “Free Rein”: Which Should You Use?
Updated on May 22, 2025
English is packed with tricky homophones, or words that sound alike but have different meanings. Homophones are confusing enough when they’re on their own, but when they’re in popular phrases or expressions, aka idioms, a whole new layer of density is added. Two of the most commonly confused are free reign vs. free rein. These phrases sound the same, but only one is correct, so it can be tricky to know which one to use.
Reader’s Digest explores the history behind the phrases so you can feel confident using the right one in your writing (and knowing which one you really mean when you say it!). Keep reading to learn when and where to use free reign vs. free rein.
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What’s the difference between reign and rein?
We can’t dive into which phrase is correct until we clear up what each of the base words means on its own, since they’re pretty easy to mix up. Reign is the word that we use when we’re talking about rulers like kings and queens. It can be a noun or a verb, and often describes the tenure of a ruler—Queen Elizabeth II’s reign lasted 70 years. It’s also the word we use when talking about a “reign of terror.”
As for rein, it literally means the strap or straps (reins) that are attached to a horse’s bridle and used to lead or guide the animal. It can also refer to metaphorical restraints or constraints, and it can be used as a verb, as in: “Rein in your enthusiasm.”
What is the intention behind the phrase free reign or free rein?
If you’re trying to decide whether to use free reign vs. free rein, it’s important to understand what the correct phrase is intended to convey. Merriam-Webster gives the definition of the idiom as: “unrestricted freedom of action or decision.” It’s often paired with a verb form of to give or to allow.
Why do people confuse these phrases?
Well, they sound exactly alike, for one thing. Secondly, if you’re allowing someone unrestricted access or freedom, both free rein and free reign appear plausibly correct. After all, a ruler who is in control of subjects, land or buildings can allow access to them, and someone who is riding or driving a horse can allow the horse to wander aimlessly if they so choose.
Words and phrases that are both easily confused and have two plausible explanations are called eggcorns. But even though both free reign and free rein seem plausible, only one of them is right. Using it correctly will mark you as someone who understands the nuance and history behind the (very) often wrongly used idiom. So which is right?
Free reign vs. free rein: Which is correct?
It’s free rein.
As you probably guessed, free rein began as a horse riding term. It meant (and still means) to hold the reins so loosely that the horse is totally unrestricted in its movements. Imagine a rider sitting on a horse and just … letting it go wherever it wants, or allowing it to follow the path at its own pace.
More figuratively, free rein conveys the idea of freedom, as in you are allowing someone or something else to control their fate. This usage has been around since the 17th century, and strangely enough, it took more than two full centuries before the incorrect free reign started appearing in print, according to Merriam-Webster. That seems strange in an era when people were still using horses as a primary means of transportation, right? Nevertheless, in the late 1800s the erroneous free reign started to rear its head—and hasn’t stopped yet.
How to remember to use free rein vs. free reign
Since these phrases sound identical and are easily confused, you may be worried that you’ll forget which one to use. After all, they both seem to convey the idea of giving freedom to something or someone. So how can you remember which one is right?
It’s all about who has the power of the metaphorical reins. When you allow a horse to wander, it gets to make its own decisions. Likewise, if you give a person (your employee, your child) free rein, they have the freedom to choose. A sovereign king or queen already has free rein—there is no need for it to be granted to them, so the phrase becomes redundant. As Merriam-Webster explains, those who have free rein are “referring to the freedom granted to them to do as they choose—and not to their power as a ruler to do so.”
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Sources:
- Merriam-Webster: “‘Free rein’ or ‘free reign’?”
- Grammarist: “Free rein vs. free reign”
