Fig.: to take control of a situation and proceed in a very determined way; take charge of things

Someone had to take the bit in his mouth and I'm the one who did it

Qualcuno doveva pur prendere in mano le redini e l'ho fatto io

When the Taylors had the car accident, their parents took the bit between their teeth and kept the business going

Quando i sigg. Taylor hanno avuto l'incidente di macchina, i nonni hanno preso in mano le redini della famiglia

After a shaky beginning, the champ took the bit between his teeth, taking the situation into his own hands, and now he's the one calling the shots

Dopo un inizio traballante, il campionissimo ha preso in mano le redini del gioco, controllando così la situazione, ed è lui adesso a menare le danze

When the president's son took the bit between his teeth, he saved the company from bankruptcy

Quando il figlio del presidente prese in mano le redini della società, la salvò dal fallimento