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Definition 2024
at_the_coal_face
at the coal face
English
![](http://llc12.www.definify.com/images_main/Child_coal_miners__1908__crop.jpg)
at the coal face, where the work is actually happening
![](http://llc12.www.definify.com/images_main/At_the_coal_face_-_geograph.org.uk_-_156088.jpg)
Prepositional phrase
- (Britain, idiomatic) To be directly engaged in the operations of a business, rather than in a hands-off, managerial position.
Synonyms
See also
References
- Re: "at the coal face...", posted by Lewis on June 21, 2004, The Phrase Finder