died in harness
Expired while employed
To die in harness is to die while still actively working, never having retired.
The image comes from a draft animal that works until it drops.
The phrase often carries a note of respect for dedication: He died in harness at 82, still seeing patients.
- deceaseEnd of life
- deathCessation of life
- professionTrained occupational field
- soldier onContinue despite difficulty
- burnoutChronic occupational depletion
on the job · devotion · occupation · workaholic · passing · drop dead · gone too soon · called home · legacy · life's work · active duty · clock in · steadfastness · tenacity · tribute · honor · sacrifice · labor
manner of career ending
died in harnessretired
No longer in workforce
stepped down · resigned · hung up one's boots · put out to pasture · bowed out