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shoot the works

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work

[wurk] noun, adjective, verb, worked or (Archaic except for 35, 37, 40 ) wrought; working.
–noun
1. exertion or effort directed to produce or accomplish something; labor; toil.
2. something on which exertion or labor is expended; a task or undertaking: The students finished their work in class.
3. productive or operative activity.
4. employment, as in some form of industry, esp. as a means of earning one's livelihood: to look for work.
5. one's place of employment: Don't phone him at work.
6. materials, things, etc., on which one is working or is to work.
7. the result of exertion, labor, or activity; a deed or performance.
8. a product of exertion, labor, or activity: musical works.
9. an engineering structure, as a building or bridge.
10. a building, wall, trench, or the like, constructed or made as a means of fortification.
11. works,
a. (used with a singular or plural verb) a place or establishment for manufacturing (often used in combination): ironworks.
b. the working parts of a machine: the works of a watch.
c. Theology. righteous deeds.
12. Physics. force times the distance through which it acts; specifically, the transference of energy equal to the product of the component of a force that acts in the direction of the motion of the point of application of the force and the distance through which the point of application moves.
13. the works, Informal.
a. everything; all related items or matters: a hamburger with the works.
b. harsh or cruel treatment: to give someone the works.
–adjective
14. of, for, or concerning work: work clothes.
15. working (def. 18).
–verb (used without object)
16. to do work; labor.
17. to be employed, esp. as a means of earning one's livelihood: He hasn't worked for six weeks.
18. to be in operation, as a machine.
19. to act or operate effectively: The pump will not work. The plan works.
20. to attain a specified condition, as by repeated movement: The nails worked loose.
21. to have an effect or influence, as on a person or on the mind or feelings of a person.
22. to move in agitation, as the features under strong emotion.
23. to make way with effort or under stress: The ship works to windward.
24. Nautical. to give slightly at the joints, as a vessel under strain at sea.
25. Machinery. to move improperly, as from defective fitting of parts or from wear.
26. to undergo treatment by labor in a given way: This dough works slowly.
27. to ferment, as a liquid.
–verb (used with object)
28. to use or manage (an apparatus, contrivance, etc.): She can work many business machines.
29. to bring about (any result) by or as by work or effort: to work a change.
30. to manipulate or treat by labor: to work butter.
31. to put into effective operation.
32. to operate (a mine, farm, etc.) for productive purposes: to work a coal mine.
33. to carry on operations in (a district or region).
34. to make, fashion, or execute by work.
35. to achieve or win by work or effort: to work one's passage.
36. to keep (a person, a horse, etc.) at work: She works her employees hard.
37. to influence or persuade, esp. insidiously: to work other people to one's will.
38. Informal. to exploit (someone or something) to one's advantage: See if you can work your uncle for a new car. He worked his charm in landing a new job.
39. to make or decorate by needlework or embroidery: She worked a needlepoint cushion.
40. to cause fermentation in.
41. work in or into,
a. to bring or put in; add, merge, or blend: The tailor worked in the patch skillfully. Work the cream into the hands until it is completely absorbed.
b. to arrange a time or employment for: The dentist was very busy, but said she would be able to work me in late in the afternoon. They worked him into the new operation.
42. work off,
a. to lose or dispose of, as by exercise or labor: We decided to work off the effects of a heavy supper by walking for an hour.
b. to pay or fulfill by working: He worked off his debt by doing odd jobs.
43. work on or upon, to exercise influence on; persuade; affect: I'll work on her, and maybe she'll change her mind.
44. work out,
a. to bring about by work, effort, or action.
b. to solve, as a problem.
c. to arrive at by or as by calculation.
d. to pay (a debt) by working instead of paying money.
e. to exhaust, as a mine.
f. to issue in a result.
g. to evolve; elaborate.
h. to amount to (a total or specified figure); add up (to): The total works out to 176.
i. to prove effective or successful: Their marriage just didn't work out.
j. to practice, exercise, or train, esp. in order to become proficient in an athletic sport: The boxers are working out at the gym tonight.
45. work over,
a. to study or examine thoroughly: For my term paper I worked over 30 volumes of Roman history.
b. Informal. to beat unsparingly, esp. in order to obtain something or out of revenge: They threatened to work him over until he talked.
46. work through, to deal with successfully; come to terms with: to work through one's feelings of guilt.
47. work up,
a. to move or stir the feelings; excite.
b. to prepare; elaborate: Work up some plans.
c. to increase in efficiency or skill: He worked up his typing speed to 70 words a minute.
48. work up to, rise to a higher position; advance: He worked up to the presidency.
49. at work,
a. working, as at one's job: He's at work on a new novel.
b. in action or operation: to see the machines at work.
50. gum up the works, Slang. to spoil something, as through blundering or stupidity: The surprise party was all arranged, but her little brother gummed up the works and told her.
51. in the works, in preparation or being planned: A musical version of the book is in the works.
52. make short work of, to finish or dispose of quickly: We made short work of the chocolate layer cake.
53. out of work, unemployed; jobless: Many people in the area were out of work.
54. shoot the works, Slang. to spend all one's resources: Let's shoot the works and order the crêpes suzette.

Origin:
bef. 900; (n.) ME worke, OE worc, r. ME werk(e), OE weorc, c. OFris, OS werk, OHG werah, werc (G Werk), ON verk, Gk érgon; (v.) ME worken, deriv. of the n., r. ME wyrchen, OE wyrcean; c. G wirken, ON verkja, Goth waurkjan


1. Work, drudgery, labor, toil refer to exertion of body or mind in performing or accomplishing something. Work is the general word and may apply to exertion that is either easy or hard: fun work; heavy work. Drudgery suggests continuous, dreary, and dispiriting work, esp. of a menial or servile kind: the drudgery of household tasks. Labor particularly denotes hard manual work: labor on a farm, in a steel mill. Toil suggests wearying or exhausting labor: toil that breaks down the worker's health. 2. enterprise, project, job, responsibility. 3. industry, occupation, business. 4. job, trade, calling, vocation, profession. 7. product, achievement, feat. 16. toil, drudge. 28. operate, manipulate, handle. 29. accomplish, effect, produce, achieve. 34. finish, form, shape. 37. move.


1. play, rest.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To shoot the works
shoot   (shōōt)   
v.   shot (shŏt), shoot·ing, shoots

v.   tr.
    1. To hit, wound, or kill with a missile fired from a weapon.

    2. To remove or destroy by firing or projecting a missile: shot out the window.

    3. To make (a hole, for example) by firing a weapon.

    4. To discharge (a weapon).

    5. To detonate or cause to explode: shot off a firecracker.

    6. To send forth suddenly, intensely, or swiftly: The burning building shot sparks onto the adjacent roof. He shot an angry look at me.

    7. To emit (a ray or rays of light or another form of energy).

    8. To utter (sounds or words) forcefully, rapidly, or suddenly: She shot a retort to the insult.

    9. Slang To give, send, or hand quickly: Shoot me that stapler.

    10. To throw or propel (a ball, marble, or other projectile in a game) in a specific direction or toward the objective.

    11. To accomplish (the objective) of a game involving a projectile; score (a point, basket, or goal).

    12. To play (a game involving projectiles, such as golf or pool).

    13. To attain (a given score) in golf.

    14. To play (a game involving dice, especially craps).

    15. To throw (the dice or a given score) in craps.

  1. To fire or let fly (a missile) from a weapon.

    1. To discharge (a weapon).

    2. To detonate or cause to explode: shot off a firecracker.

    3. To send forth suddenly, intensely, or swiftly: The burning building shot sparks onto the adjacent roof. He shot an angry look at me.

    4. To emit (a ray or rays of light or another form of energy).

    5. To utter (sounds or words) forcefully, rapidly, or suddenly: She shot a retort to the insult.

    6. Slang To give, send, or hand quickly: Shoot me that stapler.

    7. To throw or propel (a ball, marble, or other projectile in a game) in a specific direction or toward the objective.

    8. To accomplish (the objective) of a game involving a projectile; score (a point, basket, or goal).

    9. To play (a game involving projectiles, such as golf or pool).

    10. To attain (a given score) in golf.

    11. To play (a game involving dice, especially craps).

    12. To throw (the dice or a given score) in craps.

  2. To inject (a drug, for example) with a hypodermic syringe.

  3. To throw out or release (a fishing line, for example).

    1. To send forth suddenly, intensely, or swiftly: The burning building shot sparks onto the adjacent roof. He shot an angry look at me.

    2. To emit (a ray or rays of light or another form of energy).

    3. To utter (sounds or words) forcefully, rapidly, or suddenly: She shot a retort to the insult.

    4. Slang To give, send, or hand quickly: Shoot me that stapler.

    5. To throw or propel (a ball, marble, or other projectile in a game) in a specific direction or toward the objective.

    6. To accomplish (the objective) of a game involving a projectile; score (a point, basket, or goal).

    7. To play (a game involving projectiles, such as golf or pool).

    8. To attain (a given score) in golf.

    9. To play (a game involving dice, especially craps).

    10. To throw (the dice or a given score) in craps.

  4. Informal To spend, use up, or waste: They shot their savings on a new boat.

  5. To pass over or through swiftly: shooting the rapids.

  6. To cover (country) in hunting for game.

  7. To record on film: shot the scene in one take.

  8. To cause to project or protrude; extend: shot out her arm to prevent the bottle from falling.

  9. To begin to grow or produce; put forth.

  10. To pour, empty out, or discharge down or as if down a chute: shot gravel into the hole.

  11. Sports & Games

    1. To throw or propel (a ball, marble, or other projectile in a game) in a specific direction or toward the objective.

    2. To accomplish (the objective) of a game involving a projectile; score (a point, basket, or goal).

    3. To play (a game involving projectiles, such as golf or pool).

    4. To attain (a given score) in golf.

    5. To play (a game involving dice, especially craps).

    6. To throw (the dice or a given score) in craps.

  12. To slide (the bolt of a lock) into or out of its fastening.

  13. To plane (the edge of a board) straight.

  14. To variegate (colored cloth) by interweaving weft threads of a different color.

  15. To measure the altitude of with a sextant or other instrument: shot the star.

v.   intr.
  1. To discharge a missile from a weapon.

  2. To discharge or fire; go off.

    1. To gush or spurt: Water shot out of the geyser.

    2. To appear suddenly: The sun shot through a break in the clouds.

    3. To take pictures.

    4. To film a scene in a movie.

  3. To move swiftly; dart.

  4. To be felt moving or as if moving in the body: Pain shot through my lower leg.

  5. To protrude; project: The headland shoots far out into the sea.

  6. To engage in hunting or the firing of weapons, especially for sport: is shooting in Scotland during the fall.

  7. To put forth new growth; germinate.

    1. To take pictures.

    2. To film a scene in a movie.

  8. Sports & Games To propel a ball or other object toward the goal or in a specific direction or manner.

  9. Games To throw dice.

  10. Slang To begin talking. Often used in the imperative: I know you have something to tell me, so shoot!

  11. To slide into or out of a fastening. Used of the bolt of a lock.

n.  
  1. The motion or movement of something that is propelled, driven, or discharged.

    1. The young growth arising from a germinating seed; a sprout.

    2. A bud, young leaf, or other new growth on a plant.

    3. The act of discharging a weapon or letting fly a missile.

    4. Informal The launching of a rocket or similar missile.

    5. An organized shooting activity, such as a skeet tournament or hunt.

    6. A round of shots in a contest with firearms.

  2. A narrow, swift, or turbulent section of a stream.

    1. The act of discharging a weapon or letting fly a missile.

    2. Informal The launching of a rocket or similar missile.

    3. An organized shooting activity, such as a skeet tournament or hunt.

    4. A round of shots in a contest with firearms.

    1. An organized shooting activity, such as a skeet tournament or hunt.

    2. A round of shots in a contest with firearms.

  3. A session in which something is photographed, filmed, or videotaped.

  4. The distance a shot travels; the range.

  5. Nautical The interval between strokes in rowing.

  6. A sharp twinge or spasm of pain.

  7. An inclined channel for moving something; a chute.

  8. A body of ore in a vein.

interj.  
Used to express surprise, mild annoyance, or disappointment.
Phrasal Verbs:
shoot down
  1. To bring down (an aircraft, for example) by hitting and damaging with gunfire or a missile.

  2. Informal To ruin the aspirations of; disappoint.

  3. Informal

    1. To put an end to; defeat: shot down the proposal.

    2. To expose as false; discredit: shot down his theory.

  4. Informal To grow or get taller rapidly.

  5. To increase dramatically in amount.

  6. To riddle with bullets.

  7. To damage or terrorize (a town, for example) by intense or random gunfire.

  8. Slang To inject a drug with a hypodermic syringe.

Phrasal Verb(s):
shoot down
  1. To bring down (an aircraft, for example) by hitting and damaging with gunfire or a missile.

  2. Informal To ruin the aspirations of; disappoint.

  3. Informal

    1. To put an end to; defeat: shot down the proposal.

    2. To expose as false; discredit: shot down his theory.

shoot for/at Informal To strive or aim for; have as a goal.
shoot up
  1. Informal To grow or get taller rapidly.

  2. To increase dramatically in amount.

  3. To riddle with bullets.

  4. To damage or terrorize (a town, for example) by intense or random gunfire.

  5. Slang To inject a drug with a hypodermic syringe.


Idiom(s):
shoot from the hip Slang To act or speak on a matter without forethought.

Idiom(s):
shoot off (one's) mouth/face Slang
  1. To speak indiscreetly.

  2. To brag; boast.


Idiom(s):
shoot (one's) bolt Slang To do all within one's power; exhaust all of one's resources or capabilities.

Idiom(s):
shoot (one's) wad Slang
  1. To spend all of one's cash.

  2. To use up all of one's energy or resources.


Idiom(s):
shoot straightTo talk or deal honestly.

Idiom(s):
shoot the breeze/bull Slang To spend time talking; talk idly.

Idiom(s):
shoot the works Informal To expend all of one's efforts or capital.

[Middle English shoten, from Old English scēotan; see skeud- in Indo-European roots. Interj., alteration of shit.]
shoot'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

work

In physics, the product of a force applied, and the distance through which that force acts.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Slang Dictionary
shoot the works

  1. tv.
    to do everything; to use everything; to bet all one's money. : Don't shoot the works! Save some for a cab.
  2. tv.
    to empty one's stomach; to vomit. : Suddenly she turned sort of green, and I knew she was going to shoot the works.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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work (so)

  1. tv.
    to threaten, intimidate, or beat someone. : Bruno had worked over Terry, and Sam knew that this was no idle threat.
  2. tv.
    to give someone's body a thorough examination or treatment. : The doctors worked her over to the tune of $1,500 but couldn't find anything wrong with her.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

work  (v.)
a fusion of O.E. wyrcan (past tense worhte, pp. geworht), from P.Gmc. *wurkijanan; and O.E. wircan (Mercian) "to work, operate, function," formed relatively late from P.Gmc. noun *werkan (see work (n.)). Worker as a type of bee is recorded from 1747. Work out "do strenuous physical exercise" first recorded 1909, originally in boxing jargon. Working-class first attested 1789 (n.), 1839 (adj.). Workmanlike "efficient, no-nonsense" is recorded from 1739.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Science Dictionary
work   (wûrk)  Pronunciation Key 
The transfer of energy from one object to another, especially in order to make the second object move in a certain direction. Work is equal to the amount of force multiplied by the distance over which it is applied. If a force of 10 newtons, for example, is applied over a distance of 3 meters, the work is equal to 30 newtons per meter, or 30 joules. The unit for measuring work is the same as that for energy in any system of units, since work is simply a transfer of energy. Compare energy, power.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Idioms & Phrases

shoot the works

Expend all one's efforts or capital, as in He's broke after shooting the works on that new office building. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s] Also see the works.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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