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

With a "Harry Potter" show long in the works at HBO, it seems as though efforts are being made to protect the reimagining of J.K.

From Salon

This City Section Open Division semifinal has been in the works for weeks.

From Los Angeles Times

A reboot of “One Tree Hill” is reportedly in the works from series alums Bush, Hilarie Burton and Danneel Ackles.

From Los Angeles Times

In the words of one mortgage broker, that was because the Budget delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves "threw a spanner in the works".

From BBC

Trustees of the Sir Percival David Foundation, which owns the works, are to donate 1,700 pieces following a 15-year loan to the London museum.

From BBC

Related Words

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