pull a carriage; take the lead
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesverb
to pull a carriage; to be the shaft horse
Literally refers to a horse (or other draught animal) being hitched to the shafts of a carriage or cart and pulling it. In a team, the shaft horse is the central one bearing the main load.
This old horse used to be specially trained to pull the carriage shafts.
Without a horse in the shafts, this cart cannot move.
verb
to be the main force; to take the lead role; to bear primary responsibility
informalA metaphorical extension of the literal meaning. It is used to describe a person or entity taking on the key role, bearing the heaviest burden, or acting as the driving force in a project, team, or organization.
Manager Wang personally took the lead role in this project.
The new company has just been established and needs someone to step up and take the lead.
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He is the driving force in the team, and everyone trusts him.