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

There is also Maxima spin-off The Other Royals – A Maxima Story coming next year, and Ludwig, about King Ludwig II, is in the works and set to be one of the biggest-ever period dramas out of Germany. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026

The untitled, one-hour series was first reported to be in the works in 2025. — Joe Otterson, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

The live-action series, which will go into production next year, was teased with its own logo that seemed to hint at a potential connection to the SHIELD agency, and is among one of the five shows THR previously reported were in the works. — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026

The streamer and Shondaland announced Thursday that an untitled spinoff about the early life of the future matriarch of the Bridgerton clan is in the works. — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 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