As used in your example, I would assume that it is a contex meaning.
Probably refering to the fact that lawyers (barristers), need to have many
connections - political and otherwise, and therefore attend many "dinners"
for various reasons. Either the dinners are to raise money for charity,
or to attrach political support, etc. Therefore, to say that he "ate his
dinners" would be similar to saying that "he paid his dues" to the
established order.
I hope this helps, ................emdi
|
|