Definition of coalface
plural coalfaces
British
: the place inside a mine where the coal is cut out of the rock
- The war started, and he spent six years building bridges in North Africa, which he said was easier than working on the coalface in Wales.
- —Denny Taylor, Beginning to Read and the Spin Doctors of Science, 1998
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at the coalface
British
: at the place where the actual work of an activity is done
- Offering differentiation will be particularly important in sectors at the coalface of the UK's economic downturn.
- —Marketing Week, 5 Jan. 2012
