Harness

To die in harness. To continue in one’s work or occupation till death. The allusion is to soldiers in armour or harness.

“At least weʹll die with harness on our back.”

Shakespeare: Macheth, v. 5.

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.