at the coal face

1.
chiefly BritishUKneutralliteraltechnical
- At the coal face in the literal sense: physically at the working face of a coal mine where coal is cut and extracted.
2.
chiefly BritishUKwidespreadneutralinformalfigurativeworkplace
- At the place where practical work is carried out; on the frontline of operations or production, particularly where hands-on or routine tasks are performed.
- Directly engaged with the practical, operational, or day-to-day aspects of an activity, as opposed to working in management, planning, or administration.

Examples:

EN: Never expected to end up at the coal face.
ES: Nunca esperé terminar en el frente del carbón.
EN: Here we are at the coal face.
ES: Aquí estamos, en la trinchera.
EN: But you boys are at the coal face.
ES: Pero ustedes son los que hacen el trabajo sucio.
ID: Tapi kalian berada di didalam tekanan.
EN: Some are still there battling at the coal face.
TE: వారిలో కొందరు ఎన్నికల బరిలో నిలిచి పోరాడేందుకు కూడా సిద్దం అవుతున్నారు.
EN: They provide the opportunity to deliver and capture information at the coal face.
TE: కుకీస్లో ఉండే సమాచారాన్ని ట్రాక్ చేసి ఇవి భద్రం చేసే అవకాశాలున్నాయి.
EN: reached us at the coal face.
TE: అంత పిచ్చి పట్టుకుంది మనకు కోకో కోలా మీద.