"...han decidido tomar las riendas y ponerse manos a la obra."

Question

Here's a nice little trope.

A first translation might be "They have decided to take control and get to work"

There are probably many equally good if not better ways to translate it.

Here's the context: punto de primera venta

Any more suggestions?

Answer 1

Tomar las riendas means to take the bull by the horns, to take charge, to take control of a situation. It's an equestrian term literally meaning to pull the reins of a horse.

Tomar las riendas can also be expressed as:

• Hacerse cargo de algo

• Tomar el control

• Hacerse con el poder

• Ocuparse personamentel o directamente de algo

¡Espero que esto te sirva de ayuda!

"take the bull by the horns" is a good one, thanks - lagartijaverde, May 21, 2013

yes, take charge of. It's betterr than the bull, because we're diplomatic with the horse, through the reins. - annierats, May 21, 2013

Answer 2

A first translation might be "They have decided to take control and get to work"

Makes sense. We actually say ¨take the reins¨ in English too, for the exact same meaning, and the putting your hands part is pretty literal, so this one seems about the same in both languages, with the first part being the same metaphor in both, and the second being pretty literal, or at least figurative in both.

They have decided to take the reins and get to work. or They have decided to take the reins and get on with it.

I like your original one pretty well too.