To be at the coalface means to be on the front lines–working at a practical level, rather than a theoretical one. The phrase is primarily British, and derives from the image of coal miners having direct contact with exposed ore. This is part...
A dogsledder in Vermont wonders why he and his fellow mushers direct their furry packs by shouting gee for “right” and haw for “left.” This is part of a complete episode.
illo n.— «Direct your gaze, if you will, to the illustration (or ‘‘illo,’’ as they say in the publishing game) in the center of this page.» —“Diablo Cody on Heroine Chic” by Diablo Cody Entertainment Weekly Jan...
ripple-down effect n.— «Direct impact is based upon film-related jobs for everyone from electricians and carpenters, animal trainers and helicopter pilots to homeowners, caterers and restaurateurs. What’s called the “ripple-down effect”...
shotgunning v.— «Recruiters and overworked personnel administrators advise against blindly sending resumes to companies. They recommend doing your homework to determine what you can offer the company. And find out exactly whom to contact...
pink pound n.— «There’s the pink pound (free-spending gay shoppers), the green pound (eco-consumers) and the recently-identified brown pound (ethnic minorities have money, marketers have discovered ). Before all that was the grey pound—a...