Conclusion
“At the coalface” is a commonly used phrase that has been around for many years. It is often used in a figurative sense to describe someone who is working hard and directly with a particular issue or problem. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of “at the coalface.”
Definitions
The phrase “at the coalface” means to be working directly with a particular issue or problem. It is often used to describe someone who is working hard and putting in a lot of effort to get things done.
Origin
The origin of the phrase “at the coalface” can be traced back to the coal mining industry. In the early days of coal mining, workers would go deep underground to extract coal from the earth. The coalface was the area where the coal was being extracted, and it was a dangerous and difficult place to work. The phrase “at the coalface” was used to describe the workers who were working directly with the coal and facing the challenges of the job.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The meaning of “at the coalface” is consistent across different dictionaries. It is defined as working directly with a particular issue or problem. The phrase is often used in a figurative sense to describe someone who is putting in a lot of effort to get things done.
Associations
The phrase “at the coalface” is often associated with hard work, determination, and perseverance. It is used to describe someone who is willing to put in the effort to get things done, even if it means facing difficult challenges.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for “at the coalface” include:
- In the trenches.
- On the front lines.
- In the thick of it.
- In the midst of it.
- In the heat of the battle.
Antonyms
Some antonyms for “at the coalface” include:
- Removed from the situation.
- Disengaged.
- Detached.
- Uninvolved.
- Distant.
The same root words
The phrase “at the coalface” does not have any specific root words, but it is related to the mining industry and the challenges that workers faced when extracting coal from the earth.
Example Sentences
Here are some example sentences that use the phrase “at the coalface”:
- The CEO was at the coalface of the company’s restructuring efforts, working directly with employees to make necessary changes.
- The doctors and nurses on the front lines of the pandemic are at the coalface of the fight against COVID-19.
- The teacher was at the coalface of education, working directly with students to help them learn and grow.
- The construction workers were at the coalface of the building project, putting in long hours to get the job done on time.
“At the coalface” is a phrase that has been around for many years and is often used to describe someone who is working directly with a particular issue or problem. The phrase has its roots in the coal mining industry, where workers faced difficult and dangerous conditions. Today, it is used in a figurative sense to describe anyone who is putting in a lot of effort to get things done.