the works
55
3.8
- idiom
- Informal
:
con todo
- Their new restaurant offers pizza with all the toppings and the works for a truly indulgent meal.
Examples
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So just to kind of go through some of the works that I've done.
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I say we pull him in, run a systems check, the works.
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Sure, give her the works!
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We had groupies, we had camp followers, the works.
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Trimble, I want a robot that walks, talks, sees, reacts... the works.
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Get me helos, scuba teams, compressors, air-hose packages, the works.
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The event will feature food, entertainment, and activities for all ages, complete with the works.
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When hosting a party, I always try to include decorations, music, and of course, the works to impress my guests.
Synonyms
7
8.0
Everything that is part of something
5
7.7
All the things and people in a group or place
4
6.7
All the things and people connected with something
3
5.2
All the things you need for an activity, like tools and supplies
3
3.6
All the extra services and options included with a product or service
2
3.9
Everything included, for example all parts or options
1
7.7
All the things or people involved
All the things in a group or set
All the things and people together
Antonyms
How Complete
Surface Forms
Morphology
the + works
The collective meaning 'everything available; all the extras' cannot be straightforwardly derived from the literal noun 'works' (internal components/mechanism) plus the definite article; the phrase is idiomatic and used colloquially to mean 'the trimmings' or 'all the options'. A B1 learner who knows the individual words would likely not predict this extended, conventionalized meaning without prior exposure.
Etymology
The works may come from old workshops or factories called 'works', where many machines and parts worked together. Getting the works meant getting all the services or parts that place could give, so today it means 'everything' or all the extra options.