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

While doping is generally frowned on, a conspicuous counterexample is in the works: the “Enhanced Games,” a series of athletic contests in which performance-enhancing drugs are allowed.

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Two seasons, with a third in the works.

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"We anticipate receiving proposals, including a timeline for the works, within the next few days."

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There is no indication that a meeting is in the works.

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Hollywood media outlets have reported that a new "Night at the Museum" film is in the works.

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Related Words

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