in the trenches

Register · Informal Informal — used in casual, everyday conversation among friends and family. Avoid in formal writing or professional settings. CEFR C1

Post

Figurative meaning

doing the difficult, unglamorous, hands-on work at the front line of a problem or project

Why this phrase?

From World War I trench warfare: the front line is where the real, dirty work happens.

Example

“The managers had theories, but the people in the trenches knew what was really breaking.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

call it a day Informal · CEFR B1

To decide to stop working on something for now.

do the job Informal · CEFR B1

to be good enough to achieve the desired result

have your hands full Neutral · CEFR B1

To be very busy or fully occupied with responsibilities.

hit the ground running Neutral · CEFR B1

to start a new job or project with immediate energy and effectiveness, without needing a slow start

learn the ropes Neutral · CEFR B1

To learn how to do a job or task properly.

lend a hand Informal · CEFR B1

to give someone practical help

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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