in harness

Idioms  

1. On duty or at work. For example, Despite his illness he's determined to continue in harness. It also is put as be back in harness, meaning “to return to duty or work,” as in After a long vacation she's finally back in harness. This expression alludes to horses harnessed to perform work. [First half of 1800s] Also see die with one's boots on (in harness).

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Example Sentences

Kay, played by Nicole Kidman, is newly back in harness as the chief medical officer of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a job she’d held before being pushed out some unspecified years earlier.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

France-based stars Marcos Kremer and Juan Cruz Mallia, who missed the two Test defeats by England in July, are back in harness, while eight of the starting XV are established Prem performers.

From BBC • Nov. 23, 2025

Bit wear on two of the mares also suggested they were used under saddle or in harness and for breeding.

From Science Daily • Mar. 22, 2024

“If I get back in harness, it’s not just about singing, it’s about promotion, it’s about playing, it’s about the radio, politics, business, blah, blah, blah,” he said, with a wave of his hand.

From New York Times • Feb. 5, 2024

Estraven stood there in harness beside me looking at that magnificent and unspeakable desolation.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin

Related Words

• engaged
• hired
• occupied