at the coal face en · ADP
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
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.
Meanings
- (UK, idiomatic) Directly engaged in the operations of a business, rather than in a hands off, managerial position.
Relateds
front line · nuts and bolts · day-to-day · nitty-gritty · hands-on · on the tools · roll up one's sleeves · codeface · chalkface