trenches
/ˈtɹɛnt͡ʃɪz/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
The front line of any field of endeavor, as the line of scrimmage in American football, patrol duty for a policeman.
Noun
Examples
Anderson: We've all reviewed your reports, seen the data you collected, but it's all just theory to us.
Anderson: You've been there. In the trenches. Fighting them. You know what they're capable of.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
A difficult or disadvantageous situation; a low point.
Noun
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “trenches” mean?
The front line of any field of endeavor, as the line of scrimmage in American football, patrol duty for a policeman.
Is “trenches” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.