whole works

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In “The Hiding Place,” we see Corrie distracted by life’s gears, the springs, the myriad things that might throw the whole works off.

From Washington Times • Aug. 24, 2023

In fact, whole works would be broken up, scrambled out of order and integrated with the other pieces.

From New York Times • Apr. 2, 2023

“When somebody needs it, or you lose somebody, the whole works is just like one big family,” she said.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 26, 2022

Please, however, be generous with the dill, which brightens up the whole works.

From Salon • Jun. 16, 2022

She put the whole works in the toe of a stocking, pushed the wad into a rubber overshoe, and stood it with its fellow in the back of her closet.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck