Crossword Genius

Restrains while getting rid of the rats, maybe (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

reins

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'restrains' is the definition.
(reining is a kind of restraining)

'while getting rid of the rats maybe' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'getting' could be 're' (I've seen this in other clues) and 're' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ins' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for reins that I've seen before include "water regulators?" , "Means of control for a horse" , "Means of checking" , "Means of controlling a horse" , "Bridle straps" .)

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