front line

That may seem obvious—actors are on the front line of the stage, charged with the task of making words on a page spring to vibrant, transporting life.

"The situation on the front line is such that we are losing land and people every day," he said, expressing hope that those at the top will "negotiate faster and stop all this".

All territorial negotiations, it said, would "start from the Line of Contact" – the current front lines.

Due to his poor eyesight he did not fight on the front line, but worked at an engineering factory making parts for tanks.

One charity in Stockton-on-Tees is on the front line in the fight against fraud offering help, support and advice for thousands of victims every year.