coalface

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   The surface of coal exposed by mining, or a part of a coal seam that is currently being…

   The surface of coal exposed by mining, or a part of a coal seam that is currently being mined.

2. 2

   The end of a drift, entry, or room in a coal mine.

3. 3

   A place where difficult or strenuous work is done.

   • 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.
4. ›+ 1 more definitionshow fewer

   1. 4

      A place where more tangible, practical, or direct work of an activity is done, as opposed…

      A place where more tangible, practical, or direct work of an activity is done, as opposed to theoretical or managerial work.

      • 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.

The neighborhood

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• neighborshopfloor