Very possibly she knew that if my vanity was once allowed to get the upper hand it would be difficult afterwards to bring it under control.

她很可能知道如果我的虚荣心一旦站了上风，那么日后就会像脱缰之马，难以驾驭。

youdao

This is a challenge that both parties have a responsibility to address -- to get federal spending under control and bring down the deficits that have been growing for most of the last decade.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Proposes Federal Employee Pay Freeze