at the coal face

Meaning

Prepositional phrase

• Directly engaged in the operations of a business, rather than in a hands-off, managerial position.

Related

Similar words

• in the trenches, where the rubber meets the road

Origin

• 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.