the works

1. 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]

2. 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

The works, which she describes as bizarre and wild and “totally not boring,” can be rotated and displayed four different ways.

From Los Angeles Times

More activities are in the works.

From Salon

That was in the works before the reshuffle.

From BBC

It hasn’t always been popular with guests and neighbors — its wave pool was plagued with mechanical issues in its early months, and its machines and events have generated dozens of noise complaints, though management has said noise-reducing solutions are in the works.

From Los Angeles Times

The works then progresses over the following months to bridge waterproofing, concrete repairs, resurfacing, expansion joint replacements, edge beam strengthening, and barrier upgrades.

From BBC

Related Words

• all-inclusive 
• broad 
• complete 
• encyclopedic 
• exhaustive 
• extensive 
• far-reaching 
• full 
• global 
• overall 
• sweeping 
• thorough