at the coal face

English

at the coal face, where the work is actually happening

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.

Prepositional phrase

at the coal face

1. (UK, idiomatic) To be 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

• front line
• day-to-day
• hands-on
• nitty-gritty
• nuts and bolts
• roll up one's sleeves

References

• Re: "at the coal face...", posted by Lewis on June 21, 2004, The Phrase Finder