When someone says that a project or plan is "in the works," it means that it is currently being developed or worked on. There are several synonyms for this phrase, including "in progress," "in development," "underway," and "being implemented." All of these phrases suggest that the project is not yet finished, but that steps are being taken toward completion. Other synonyms include "in preparation," "in the making," and "in the pipeline." All of these terms suggest that something is happening behind the scenes, and that progress is being made. When you hear any of these phrases, you can be sure that work is being done, and that something exciting is on the way.