in the works

phrase

: in process of preparation, development, or completion

The director's new movie is already in the works.

Plans are in the works for building three new schools in the area.

Examples of in the works in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Feig is coming off the hit The Housemaid, the Sydney Sweeney-starrer that grossed $400 million worldwide for Lionsgate, with a sequel in the works. — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026

Unlike this morning’s last-minute rescue, this trapping has been in the works for a week and planned out with military-like precision. — Adam Tschorn, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Doren said the company’s partners are excited about the new direction, with several projects in the works headed into the holidays. — Jennie Bell, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026

Stoke says the larger Block 2 configuration has been in the works alongside Pathfinder for several years. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for in the works

• ironworks
• masterworks
• waterworks
• artworks
• breastworks
• brickworks
• earthworks
• fireworks
• frameworks
• gasworks
• glassworks
• headworks