Meaning of coalface | Babel Free

Definitions

1. The surface of coal exposed by mining, or a part of a coal seam that is currently being mined.
2. The end of a drift, entry, or room in a coal mine.
3. A place where difficult or strenuous work is done.
   UK, figuratively
4. A place where more tangible, practical, or direct work of an activity is done, as opposed to theoretical or managerial work.
   UK, figuratively

Equivalents

Examples

“Works of this kind are necessarily parasitic upon the research of other scholars and I should like to express my gratitude to all those whose hard labour at the coalface has made my own endeavours possible.”

“Lizzie had paid her own dues at the coalface of teething babies and gave the young mother an understanding grin in return.”

“However, my mother, who had been at the coalface of the marital collapse, felt the need to have an in-depth debrief.”

“But we both know that all of this wonderful equilibrium comes at a cost: there is the tacit understanding that it's my turn to pursue my dreams whilst my husband slogs at the coalface.”

“While schools were seen to be at the coalface of administering arts education, teachers, artists and children were rarely consulted in relation to the development of arts education policy.”

“By all means look at streamlining systems, look at changing the way that you produce public services for sure, but please do not cut at the coalface. That goes for a teacher, it goes for a policeman and it goes for a nurse.”

“I wondered which next superstar I might have the privilege of seeing live at the coalface of stardom in Hollywood.”

“It’s been terrific doing six shows a week, but what with all the prep work for the programmes and the ever-increasing volume of new music to listen to, there’s not been nearly enough time left over for my family. And to be honest, after nearly 40 years at the coalface of new music, I think I need a bit of breather.”

“A council of cardinals was established to tackle key areas, notably the perilous state of the Vatican’s finances. All of the nine Francis appointed had, like him, substantial experience at the coalface, as heads of large dioceses. Most were also outsiders in the overheated corridors of power at the Vatican.”

CEFR level