Page 16 - Conversation 3

(8) The works

Introduction

A phrase that means everything. Learn more here

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240722

Transcript

Feifei

Hello. Welcome to The English We Speak, where we explain phrases used by fluent English
speakers so you can use them, too! I'm Feifei, and I'm joined by Georgie.

Georgie
Hi Feifei! How are you doing?

Feifei
I'm actually feeling really rested after the weekend, Georgie. I treated myself to a spa day with a
friend. We spent time in the sauna, had a massage, got our nails done - the works!

Georgie
Feifei, that sounds so relaxing – I'm so jealous! So, you used the phrase 'the works', which is our
expression in this programme. Can you explain why you used it?

Feifei
Sure. So, when I said 'the works', I meant 'everything', or all the possible extras or items you
might expect from a situation. You can go to a spa and just relax in the steam room for example,
but me? I did all the activities and used all the facilities – the works! We can use 'the works' in
lots of different contexts, can't we? Georgie, can you give us another example?

Georgie
Yes, sure. So, my weekend plan involved a picnic in the park. Lots of people came which meant
there was a lot of food to share. We had sandwiches, salad, olives, crisps, sausages, fruit, and
even chocolate – the works!

Feifei
Wow. That sounds like a lot of food. Let's hear some more examples of 'the works' from our
BBC Learning English colleagues.

Examples
We threw my dad a party for his 70th birthday and it had the works – games, loads of food, we
had a band – everything!