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at the coal face

To be directly engaged in the operations of a business, rather than in a hands-off, managerial position.

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.
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Submitted on July 07, 2010

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to at the coal face

face awayface offbutter faceclose the faceEgg on Your Facecut off one's nose to spite one's faceblack as coalface offbutter faceburn everything russian except the sour…canary in a coal mineeat your face offCut Off Your Nose to Spite Your Faceface down

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    "at the coal face." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 Dec. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/at-the-coal-face_10960>.

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