the works
Idioms-
Everything, the full range of possibilities, as in He ordered a pizza with the works , or All right, tell me, give me the works on it . This usage derives from works in the sense of “a complete set of parts for a machine or mechanism.” [ Colloquial ; late 1800s]
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A beating or other severe treatment. This usage is often put as give someone the works , as in They took him outside and gave him the works . [ Slang ; first half of 1900s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Semi and the Roadster have been in the works for years, suffering repeated delays since they were both introduced to investors by Musk as concepts in November 2017.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 17, 2026
Another new rule in the works would let them apply to ban drone flights near their property, an FAA official said, although only Congress can grant authority to shoot down aircraft, manned or not.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026
On shipping forms, they estimated that the works were worth as little as $30—“absurdly low values for purported original Warhol paintings,” according to the suit.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 12, 2026
Since 2009, treated effluent has been tested under an "operator self-monitoring" scheme, with unannounced checks carried out by teams operating separately from those running the works.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026
Now that the issue was in the works and Belmont was moving forward, Howard sensed that it was time to play hardball.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
