English Idiom: Back in harness
We are all back in harness again.
Golden Week is over. Yes, I know you don’t want to hear it, but it is true.
Golden Week is over. It was an enjoyable three days with some very unusual weather, but after being away from work for a while, we are all going back to work again.
Back in harness is a British idiom that means to return to work after a short absence.
A harness is the leather straps which horses wear when they are working.
When the harness is off, the horses are usually free to roam around and do what horses do.
When the harness is put on, however, it’s time for the horse to work.
Because I am from eastern Canada, I use a mixture of both British and North American English when I speak.
I am not so sure if west coasters use the idiom back in harness as much as we Atlantic Canadians do.
Just because you are back in harness, it does not mean that you have to work around the clock.
Be sure that you take your time readjusting to a typical workday.
Anyway, have a great day.
