at the coal face
English
Etymology
From being in a coal mine, at the face where the mining is actually occurring, especially in dark, cramped, dirty, hazardous conditions. Compare front line and trenches, of similar formation.
Pronunciation
Audio (AU) (file)
Prepositional phrase
at the coal face
- (UK, idiomatic) Directly engaged in the operations of a business, rather than in a hands-off, managerial position.
Synonyms
- in the trenches, where the rubber meets the road
See also
- chalkface
- codeface
- front line
- day-to-day
- hands-on
- nitty-gritty
- nuts and bolts
- on the tools
- roll up one's sleeves
References
- Re: "at the coal face...", posted by Lewis on June 21, 2004, The Phrase Finder