the trenches

plural noun

: a place or situation in which people do very difficult work

These people are working every day down in the trenches to improve the lives of refugees.

Examples of the trenches in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The result in the trenches will reveal a lot about where TCU’s pass rush stands. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2026

Tillmon’s brain Tillmon said one of the biggest differences between FBS and FCS is in the trenches, with FBS lines tending to be much bigger. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 17 Sep. 2026

This is a thing that regular researchers who are in the trenches with the tech want to do. — Tyler Foggatt, New Yorker, 17 Sep. 2026

The Bills didn’t get much of their running game going against the Texans, but the Saints proved that the Lions can be attacked in the trenches. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2026

Rhymes for the trenches

• benches
• quenches
• wenches
• wrenches