For the expression which has been underlined in each of the following sentences, choose the response (a), (b), (c) or (d) which most nearly expresses its meaning. The institution decided to give Mrs. Roy’s job to her son not because she was a social worker, but because she haddied in harness.
Died before retirement
Understanding the Idiom "Died in Harness"
The question asks us to find the meaning of the underlined expression "died in harness" in the given sentence: "The institution decided to give Mrs. Roy’s job to her son not because she was a social worker, but because she had died in harness."
An idiom is a phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the ordinary meanings of the individual words. "Died in harness" is an English idiom.
Meaning of Died in Harness
The idiom "died in harness" means to die while still working, before retirement. It implies that the person was actively engaged in their job or profession right up until their death.
Let's look at the sentence again: "The institution decided to give Mrs. Roy’s job to her son... because she had died in harness." This suggests that her death happened while she was still employed and working for the institution, not after she had stopped working.
Analyzing the Options for "Died in Harness"
Now, let's examine the provided options to see which one best matches the meaning of "died in harness":
| Option | Meaning | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Died after retirement | Passing away after ending one's working career. | This contradicts the core meaning of "in harness," which implies being actively engaged in work. |
| (b) Died before retirement | Passing away while still actively employed or working. | This directly aligns with the meaning of "died in harness" - dying while still performing one's duty or job. |
| (c) Died while riding a horse | A literal interpretation of "harness," referring to horse riding equipment. | Idioms do not typically have literal meanings based on the individual words. This option is irrelevant to the idiomatic expression. |
| (d) Died for a great cause | Sacrificing one's life for a noble purpose. | While dying while working could potentially be for a cause, the idiom specifically refers to dying while engaged in one's regular work or duty, not necessarily a heroic sacrifice for a "great cause." |
Based on the analysis, the option that most nearly expresses the meaning of "died in harness" is "Died before retirement," as it signifies dying while still in service or actively working.
Why "Died Before Retirement" is Correct
The phrase "in harness" historically referred to the gear or equipment worn by a working animal, like a horse, when it is performing its task. Dying "in harness" means dying while still engaged in that work. Applied to a person, it means dying while still active in one's profession or job, which is equivalent to dying before retirement.
The sentence context reinforces this. The institution's decision is linked to her having "died in harness," implying her work status at the time of death was relevant, likely meaning she was still employed.
Revision Table: Key Idiom Meanings
| Idiom | Common Meaning | Context Example |
|---|---|---|
| Died in harness | To die while still working or actively engaged in one's profession, before retirement. | He was a dedicated teacher who literally died in harness, collapsing at his desk. |
| Kick the bucket | To die (informal). | After a long illness, he finally kicked the bucket. |
| Pass away | To die (polite expression). | His grandmother passed away peacefully in her sleep. |
Additional Information on English Idioms
Understanding idioms is crucial for comprehending English fluently. Idioms are part of figurative language and their meanings are often cultural or historical. Learning idioms in context, like the phrase "died in harness," helps in improving vocabulary and understanding nuanced meanings in sentences.
Common characteristics of idioms include:
- Their meaning is non-literal; it cannot be deduced from the individual words.
- They are often fixed phrases; changing the words can change or destroy the meaning.
- They add colour and expressiveness to the language.
For example, "kick the bucket" doesn't literally involve kicking a bucket; it's just an informal way of saying "to die." Similarly, "died in harness" uses the imagery of work gear but means dying while still working.
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Important Questions from One Word Substitution
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Your ambition should be inconsonance withyour capabilities.
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