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.
Unless a deal was already in the works with another nation, however, he believes it's unlikely any big announcements will be made.
From BBC ● Sep. 13, 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
The Perlmans demanded Roberts produce records proving his connection to the Warhol Foundation and the authenticity of the works they bought, according to the complaint.
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
Much Baroque music is contrapuntal, particularly the works of J.S.
From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones
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.
