at the coalface

at the coalface

Actively doing a certain job. These reports are just speculation—they didn't consult anyone actually at the coalface. I earned my retirement after 30 years at the coalface.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

at the coalface

mainly BRITISH
When people talk about what is happening at the coalface of a particular profession, they are talking about the thoughts and actions of the people who are actually doing the job. The problem is that middle management simply don't know what is going on at the coalface. The aim is to show politicians the impact of their policies at the coalface. Note: This expression is used to suggest that these are the people who really know about the profession. Note: In a coal mine, the coalface is the part where the coal is being cut out of the rock.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

at the coalface

engaged in work at an active rather than a theoretical level in a particular field. British
1998 Town and Country Planning Workers at the coalface of sustainable development need these success stories.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

at the ˈcoalface

(British English) where the real work is done, not just where people talk about it: Many of the best ideas come from doctors at the coalface.
A coalface is the place deep inside a mine where the coal is actually cut out of the rock.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • be on the prowl
  • be/go on the prowl
  • go on the prowl
  • consult with (someone)
  • consult with (someone) about (something)
  • consult (someone) about (something)
  • consult
  • consult (someone)
  • all over something
  • blackball (one)
References in periodicals archive
PS Jonathan Hausmann is chief operating officer at The Coalface.
Big business is invading the co-working world and it's bad news for entrepreneurs
Jeremy Leaf, a North London estate agent and a former residential chairman of trade body Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, said: "These numbers confirm what we are seeing at the coalface - a spring bounce but not as great as we might have expected."
HOUSE PRICES SURGE BY 5%; FINANCE
"I've been banging away at the coalface, if you like, for many years now, and I've done some really wonderfully interesting work, I've been very lucky.
QUOTES OF THE DAY
"I want to talk to people at the coalface as well as leaders and of course there'll be significant input from nursing, given the importance of that sector," he said earlier this month.
Minister to convene health summit
But those at the coalface of the English game have argued that emergency loans are critical to their survival - as well as offering young Premier League stars much-needed firstteam exposure.
'DEATH THREAT' FOR LEAGUE CLUBS
All this was whilst they were being employed as young miners, working underground, mining coal at the coalface.
Wider benefits of deep mining lost; LETTERS
Joan Hart spent 46 years as a nurse and has now co-written her memoir, At The Coalface, with journalist and author Veronica Clark.
Writers set to appear at library event
How would they have enjoyed a month at the coalface? Ex-miners will, of course, express their regret at the closures but I would bet that a good many are relieved that they no longer have to work underground.
Tough industry is not missed; FEEDBACK
Peter chisels "It's a lot of work at the coalface," admits Peter with some understatement.
A towering achievement; SECRETS OF THE CASTLE Tue BBC2 9pm NEW SERIES
We all moan about the lack of funding for the NHS but if we started to curb the issuing of these prescriptions at the coalface there would be more funds available to treat patients who are in genuine need.
PPV: optoms needed
The staff at the coalface bear the brunt of our frustration, but credit where credit`s due.
Thanks to you all; You Say Email:letters@liverpoolecho.co.uk
Izindaba reports [10] from experts at the coalface on just how, where and for whom it makes the most sense, and most critically, which high-risk groups might be most adherent.
High-risk patients, expertly guided, can benefit from PrEPs
Workers at the coalface of commerce, will in some way or other have to tighten belts still further, with fewer services being provided.
The leaders who fail to lead the way
GREG PATERSON has little in common with the pampered SPL players who dream about their next pay packet while he's up at dawn for work at the coalface.
Early Greg catches the Reds