work

the works

1. The entirety of what's available; all the related elements of something. Wow, they really offer the works at this ice cream bar. There's much more than just whipped cream and sprinkles here! I want a traditional wedding, with the cake, the dress—the works.
2. slang A very thorough or severe beating. When John refused to pay protection money to the mafia, two of their goons took him outside and gave him the works.
See also: work

work (one's) way into (something or some place)

1. To twist or contort one's body in order to fit into some snug place or thing. We had to work our way into the narrow crevice to pass through to the other side. I worked my way into the crawlspace so I could access the electrical wiring.
2. To do the work required to enter into a particular role, job, profession, industry, etc. I decided to change my degree to computer programming so I Could eventually work my way into the video game industry. She's trying to work her way into a management position.
See also: way, work

work (one's) way through (something)

1. To remain continually engaged in some task. Often used when the task is long-term, tedious, or plodding. We're working our way through the set of problems the math teachers assigned. Even if I'm not really enjoying a book, I feel like I have to work my way through it once I've started it.
2. To work in order to pay for some long-term educational program. Kate is working her way through college, but it's taken a while, as she's only been able to attend classes part-time. You don't even realize how well off you are. When I was your age, I had to work my way through school!
See also: through, way, work

work (someone or something)

1. informal To manipulate or exploit someone or something to one's own advantage. I learned from a young age how to work the system to suit my needs. He's been working the boss for months in order to gain access to the financial records.
2. informal To arouse, gratify, or enchant someone, especially a group, in an artful manner meant to influence them in a particular way. As a comedian, you have to know how to work the audience, no matter what they're like. My daughter knows how cute she is, and she is now a master at working the people around her for attention.
See also: work

work into (something)

1. To insert, introduce, or implement someone or something into something else, especially when doing so does not come naturally or easily. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "work" and "into." The director even worked a clever reference to Casablanca into the film toward the end. You can try working a clause like that into the contract, but I bet their lawyers will have an issue with it. It wasn't in the script, but I bet we could work your character into this scene.
2. To cause some substance to absorbed or mixed into something else by rubbing, mixing, or massaging vigorously. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "work" and "into." He worked the ointment into my aching shoulder. You'll have to work in the moisturizer for a good while before the leather starts to soften up completely. Start working the egg and milk into the flour to form the dough.
3. To cause something to change into another state by rubbing, mixing, or massaging vigorously continuously and at length. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "work" and "into." To create the meringue, use your whisk to work the egg whites and sugar into a thick foam until small peaks are able to stand up on the surface of the mixture. Now, make sure you work the soap into a lather all over your hands and between your fingers.
4. To instill a particular mental state in someone by provoking or agitating them. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "work" and "into." I was worked into a state of blind panic when my kids didn't answer my phone calls. All his pestering comments and questions worked me into a really bad mood by the end of the day.
See also: work

work through

1. To remain engaged continuously in some task in order to complete it, especially that which is very tedious or time-consuming. I've been working through a new biography on Thomas Jefferson recently.
2. To put in the required effort to understand or resolve something. Just give me a minute to work through the problem. I know he's got a lot of personal issues that he's working through with a therapist.
3. To strive to move something through some process or situation, especially one that is particularly laborious or difficult. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "work" and "through." Against all odds, the senator was able to work the legislation successfully through congress. I've been trying to work this story through our editorial team, but they're incredibly picky about what they publish.
4. To expend time and energy forcing something through some kind of material, especially that which is particularly tough or impermeable. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "work" and "through." It took me nearly 10 minutes to work the needle through the leather. The butcher struggled to work the cleaver through the hind leg of the animal.
See also: through, work
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

work

 (one's way) into something
1. . to get into something tight or small gradually and with effort. He worked himself into the dark corner and hid there for a while. The mouse worked into the crack and got stuck.
2. . to get more deeply involved in something gradually. I don't quite understand my job. I'll work my way into it gradually. Fred worked into the daily routine gradually.

work

 (one's way) through something
1. . Lit. to work to earn money to pay the bills while one is in college, medical school, law school, etc. I worked my way through college as a waiter.
2. . Fig. to progress through something complicated. I spent hours working my way through the tax forms. I worked through the forms very slowly.
3. . Fig. to struggle through an emotional trauma. When she had finally worked through her grief, she was able to function normally again. Larry worked through the pain.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See:
  • (Don't ask me,) I just work here.
  • (Don't ask me,) I only work here.
  • (just) crazy enough to work
  • (one's) work is cut out for (one)
  • (that) works for me!
  • a cold piece of work
  • a glutton for punishment
  • a glutton for punishment, work, etc.
  • a job of work
  • a lick of work
  • a little (hard) work never hurt anybody
  • a little (hard) work never hurt anyone
  • a little (hard) work never killed anybody
  • a little (hard) work never killed anyone
  • a nasty piece of work
  • a piece of work
  • a spanner in the works
  • a woman's work is never done
  • all in a day's work
  • all in the/a day's work
  • all work and no play
  • all work and no play (makes Jack a dull boy)
  • All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy
  • at work
  • back at (something or some place)
  • be a nasty piece of work
  • be all in a day's work
  • be at work
  • be worked up
  • be worked up about (something)
  • be worked up over (something)
  • build up/work up, etc. a head of steam
  • bunk (something)
  • busy work
  • close enough for government work
  • crazy enough (that) it just might work
  • crazy enough (that) it might actually work
  • crazy enough (that) it might just work
  • detective work
  • devil finds work for idle hands to do
  • dirty work
  • dirty work at the crossroads
  • do (one's) homework
  • do (one's)/the dirty work
  • do someone's dirty work
  • do the donkey work
  • donkey work
  • drive (oneself) into the ground
  • drive (something) into the ground
  • drive/run/work yourself into the ground
  • everything will work out (all right)
  • everything will work out for the best
  • get (oneself) worked up about (something)
  • get (oneself) worked up over (something)
  • get down to business
  • get down to work
  • get up a thirst
  • get worked up about (something)
  • get worked up over (something)
  • give (one) the works
  • give someone the works
  • go about your work
  • go like a dream
  • go to work
  • go/set about your work
  • go/set to work
  • God works in mysterious ways
  • good enough for government work
  • good works
  • grunt work
  • gum the works up
  • gum up
  • gum up the works
  • hard work is not easy
  • have (one's) work cut out
  • have (one's) work cut out for (one)
  • have one's work cut out for one
  • have work cut out for
  • have work done
  • have your work cut out
  • if ifs and ands were pots and pans
  • in an ivory tower
  • in the works
  • in work
  • in/out of work
  • it is not work that kills, but worry
  • it works for me
  • I've got work to do
  • jig (it)
  • keep up the good work
  • knock off work
  • leg work
  • legwork
  • lick of work
  • little work never hurt anyone
  • maid of all work
  • make fast work of (someone or something)
  • make hard work of (something)
  • make hard work of something
  • make light work of
  • make light work of (someone or something)
  • make light work of someone
  • make light work of something
  • make quick work of (someone or something)
  • make short work of
  • make short work of (someone or something)
  • make short work of something
  • make short work of something/somebody
  • make short work of, to
  • make-work project
  • many hands make light work
  • monkey wrench in the works, put/throw a
  • nice work
  • nice work if you can get it
  • nice work!
  • not do a stroke (of work)
  • not do a stroke of work
  • not safe for work
  • NSFW
  • off
  • off from work
  • off of work
  • one's work is cut out for one
  • only fools and horses work
  • out of work
  • piece of work
  • piece of work, a
  • piecework
  • pile on the work
  • pile the work on
  • put (one) to work
  • put (something) to work
  • put a (monkey) wrench in(to) the works
  • put a spanner in(to) the works
  • put in a hard day at work
  • put in a hard day's work
  • put in work
  • put/set somebody to work
  • put/throw a spanner in the works
  • right to work
  • run (oneself or something) into the ground
  • scut work
  • set (someone or something) to work
  • set (someone or something) to work (on something)
  • set about your work
  • set to work
  • set to work (doing something)
  • set to work (on something)
  • set to work on (someone)
  • shoot the works
  • shoot the works, to
  • skive (something)
  • slog (one's) guts out
  • slog/sweat/work your guts out
  • so crazy (that) it just might work
  • so crazy (that) it might actually work
  • so crazy (that) it might just work
  • spill the beans
  • spill the works
  • stroke of work
  • take (some) time off from work
  • take off from (something or some place)
  • take off from work
  • teamwork makes the dream work
  • the devil finds work for idle hands
  • the devil finds work for idle hands to do
  • the devil makes work for idle hands
  • the devil makes work for idle hands to do
  • the donkey work
  • the Lord works in mysterious ways
  • the whole works
  • the works
  • Things will work out
  • things will work out for the best
  • throw a (monkey) wrench in(to) the works
  • throw a monkey wrench in the works
  • throw a spanner in the works
  • throw a spanner in(to) the works
  • throw a wrench into the works
  • time works wonders
  • too much like hard work
  • Trojan, he is a/works like a/a regular
  • turn out
  • turn out all right
  • wag (it)
  • whole works
  • work
  • work (one or oneself) to death
  • work (one's way) down the line
  • work (one's) backside off
  • work (one's) buns off
  • work (one's) butt off
  • work (one's) fingers to the bone
  • work (one's) guts out
  • work (one's) magic
  • work (one's) passage
  • work (one's) socks off
  • work (one's) soul case out
  • work (one's) tail off
  • work (one's) ticket
  • work (one's) way
  • work (one's) way along
  • work (one's) way into (something or some place)
  • work (one's) way through (school)
  • work (one's) way through (something)
  • work (one's) way up
  • work (oneself) into a lather
  • work (oneself) into the ground
  • work (oneself) up
  • work (oneself) up into a lather
  • work (someone or something)
  • work (someone or something) up into (something)
  • work (something) out of (something else)
  • work a treat
  • work against
  • work against (someone or something)
  • work against the clock
  • work all the hours God sends
  • work among
  • work among (someone or something)
  • work an angle on (one)
  • work around
  • work around (someone or something)
  • work around to
  • work around to (someone or something)
  • work as
  • work as (something)
  • work at
  • work at (something or some place)
  • work away
  • work away (at something)
  • work beneath (someone or something)
  • work both sides of the street
  • work both ways
  • work cut out for one, to have one's
  • work down
  • work down the aisle
  • work fingers to the bone
  • work for
  • work for (someone or something)
  • work for peanuts
  • work for pittance
  • work hand and glove with (someone or something)
  • work hand in glove with (someone or something)
  • work hand in hand
  • work in
  • work in an/(one's) ivory tower
  • work into
  • work into (something)
  • work it
  • work it so (that) (something is the case)
  • work it/things
  • work itself out
  • work like a beaver
  • work like a charm
  • work like a dog
  • work like a dream
  • work like a horse
  • work like a mule
  • work like a slave
  • work like a Trojan
  • work like magic
  • work miracles
  • work nights
  • work of art
  • work off
  • work on
  • work on (someone or something)
  • work on all cylinders
  • work one’s buns off
  • work one’s butt off
  • work one’s tail off
  • work one's fingers to the bone
  • work one's fingers to the bone, to
  • work one's tail off, to
  • work one's way
  • work oneself into a lather
  • work oneself up
  • work oneself up into
  • work oneself up into a lather
  • work oneself up to something
  • work out
  • work out all right
  • work out for the best
  • work out of
  • work over
  • work smarter, not harder
  • work some fat off
  • work someone over
  • work spouse
  • work tail off
  • work the crowd
  • work the oracle
  • work the problem
  • work the rabbit's foot on
  • work the rabbit's foot on (someone)
  • work the room
  • work the soul case out of
  • work things out
  • work things so (that) (something is the case)
  • work through
  • work through channels
  • work till you drop
  • work to
  • work to (something)
  • work to rule
  • work together
  • work toward
  • work toward (something)
  • work under
  • work under (someone or something)
  • work under the table
  • work until you drop
  • work up
  • work up a sweat
  • work up a thirst
  • work up into
  • work up to
  • work up to (something)
  • work up to the collar
  • work way along
  • work way up
  • work with
  • work with (someone or something)
  • work without a net
  • work wonders
  • work your fingers to the bone
  • work your guts out
  • work your passage
  • work your socks off
  • work your ticket
  • work your way through college, etc.
  • work your way up
  • work yourself into the ground
  • work yourself/somebody to death
  • work, etc. your way through something
  • work/do wonders/miracles
  • work/go like a dream
  • worked up
  • worked up about (something)
  • worked up over (something)
  • worked up, be
  • works
  • works for me
  • write if you get work
References in classic literature
Hesiod's father (whose name, by a perversion of "Works and Days",
There is fairly definite evidence to warrant our acceptance of this: the dialect of the "Works and Days" is shown by Rzach (3) to contain distinct Aeolisms apart from those which formed part of the general stock of epic poetry.
In parts, only little bits, in other parts, large portions of a rhombic plate had been left between the opposed basins, but the work, from the unnatural state of things, had not been neatly performed.
Considering how flexible thin wax is, I do not see that there is any difficulty in the bees, whilst at work on the two sides of a strip of wax, perceiving when they have gnawed the wax away to the proper thinness, and then stopping their work.
President Barbicane and the members of the Gun Club warmly congratulated their engineer Murchison; the cyclopean work had been accomplished with extraordinary rapidity.
Keeping ever close by the work of excavation, he busied himself incessantly with the welfare and health of his workpeople, and was singularly fortunate in warding off the epidemics common to large communities of men, and so disastrous in those regions of the globe which are exposed to the influences of tropical climates.
"Got to work after supper." And after supper they worked until ten o'clock, under the blazing electric lights, until the last piece of under-clothing was ironed and folded away in the distributing room.
About midnight in they came, dancing and skipping, hopped round the room, and then went to sit down to their work as usual; but when they saw the clothes lying for them, they laughed and chuckled, and seemed mightily delighted.
It represents but an attempt on my part--a very feeble one perhaps--to give the reader what little help I can in surmounting difficulties which a long study of Nietzsche's life and works has enabled me, partially I hope, to overcome.
Washington's work. It is this conception of it and of him that I have ever since carried with me.
"I take it as proof that Berkeley's metaphysics did not work, because--" Ernest paused calmly for a moment.
It was a summer of prosperity, all over the country, and the country ate generously of packing house products, and there was plenty of work for all the family, in spite of the packers' efforts to keep a superfluity of labor.
The rest of the day was occupied with this latter work, for which she received the customary fifteen sous.
Other men, who had no land and no fish-traps, and who else would have gone hungry, were glad to work for Pig-Jaw, caring for his goats, guarding them from wild dogs and tigers, and driving them to the feeding pastures in the mountains.
In the very heat of the day the mowing did not seem such hard work to him.