beast of burden

• Animal domestique tel qu'un âne, un mulet ou un bœuf, utilisé pour porter de lourdes charges ou accomplir un travail pénible; également employé métaphoriquement pour désigner une personne qui fait beaucoup de travail difficile ou assume de grandes responsabilités.

A domesticated animal, such as a donkey, mule, or ox, used for carrying heavy loads or performing heavy work; also used metaphorically to describe a person who does a lot of hard work or carries heavy responsibilities.

1. Working animalB2formal

   An animal used for carrying heavy loads or performing heavy work, such as a donkey, mule, or ox.

   bête de somme

   • Donkeys have been used as beasts of burden for thousands of years.
   • The farmer relied on his oxen as beasts of burden to plow the fields.
   • In mountainous regions, llamas are often used as beasts of burden.

2. Overworked personB2informal

   A person who is forced to do a lot of hard work, often without appreciation or rest.

   bête de somme

   • He felt like a beast of burden, working double shifts every day.
   • She was treated as a beast of burden by her demanding boss.
   • The interns were used as beasts of burden, doing all the tedious tasks.