in the pipeline

Idioms  

1. In process, under way, as in The blueprints for the new machine are in the pipeline, but it will take months to get approval . [ Colloquial ; 1940s] Also see in the works .

2. Budgeted for something but not yet spent, as in There's $5 million more in the pipeline for the city schools . [ Colloquial ; second half of 1900s]

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Example Sentences

The BBC announcement, which confirms recent industry reports the show was in the pipeline, adds it will be produced by So Television, which is also behind Graham Norton's award-winning chat show.

From BBC

Fletcher said reform of the humanitarian system was in the pipeline, and US taxpayers would be able to see how their money was delivering life-saving impacts.

From Barron's

The recent surveys of manufacturing purchasing managers have recorded a rebound in services price inflation, another indicator that there’s still inflation in the pipeline.

From Barron's

Alongside the new series of The Trip, he continues his podcast Brydon &, appears regularly on Would I Lie to You?, and has further television and publishing projects in the pipeline.

From BBC

The Bank of Japan hiked interest rates to a 30-year high on Friday and indicated more were in the pipeline as it said the economy had shown signs of improvement.

From Barron's