on the tools

English

Prepositional phrase

on the tools

1. Doing manual labour as a tradesperson, as opposed to being a foreman, business owner, etc., in the industry.
   • 1980 August 23, The Canberra Times, Canberra, page 26, column 6:

     The successful applicant will not be afraid to work with the men "on the tools", so that he knows them, can motivate them, and lead them by example.

See also

• at the coal face