at the coal face at English (WD) Of Explained:

==English==
Category: File - :Child coal miners (1908) crop.jpg|thumb|at the coal face, where the work is actually happening
Category: File - :At the coal face - geograph.org.uk - 156088.jpg|thumb

Etymology

From being in a Inter: w » coal mine, at the face where the mining is actually occurring, especially in dark, cramped, dirty, hazardous conditions. Compare Inter: term » front line|lang=en and Inter: term » in the trenches|lang=en, of similar formation.

Prepositional phrase

Inter: en-PP » at the coal face

Inter: 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

Related words:

at table  at that  at that place  at the best  at the best of times  At the bottom  at the corner  At the countretaille  at the double  At the downlying  at the drop of a hat  At the elbow  at the eleventh hour  at the end of one's rope  at the end of one's tether  at the end of one’s tether  at the end of the day  at the end of the road  at the end of your rope  at the expense of  at the feet of  At the first  At the first blush  at the foot of  At the fore  At the hand of  at the hands of  at the helm  at the high port  At the last  At the last gasp  at the last minute  at the latest  at the least  At the long run  at the mercy of  at the moment  at the most  at the ready  at the receiving end  at the same time  at the start  at the top of one's lungs  at the top of one's voice  at the wheel  at the worst  at this moment  at this moment in time  at this point in time  At times  át tudod ugrani?